Subasta Bidspirit | LOWE HUDSON: (1769-1844) Anglo-Irish Soldier

LOWE HUDSON: (1769-1844) Anglo-Irish Soldier and Colonial Administrator - LOWE HUDSON: (1769-1844) Anglo-Irish Soldier and Colonial Administrator, Governor of St Helena where he was the ‘gaoler’ of Napoleon Bonaparte. Extensive conclusion of an A.L.S., H Lowe, sixteen pages, 8vo, n.p. (St Helena), n.d. (c. October 1820), to Count Alexander de Balmain. The letter, which is missing the opening twelve pages, and is partially written in French, provides details of Lowe’s activities on St Helena and makes interesting references to Napoleon Bonaparte and the Marquis de Montholon, commenting on some books which have been sent by the latter in the hope that they will relieve the boredom of not only Jamestown, the capital of St. Helena, but the whole island, Lowe remarking  ‘…you see I am now more civilly treated by the persons at Longwood than by the Marquis, but this is not all, the following is an extract of one of his notes sent open in the usual manner through me speaking of one of the books sent him, a “Roman” entitled “Boris”’ , the extract, in French, describing St. Helena as an inferno and advising the recipient that they should console themselves that, even if their eyes do not fall on too many people, at least they are living amongst individuals with the style and manners of the French and not experiencing the rage of impotent people. Lowe further expresses his surprise at learning of Bartholomaus von Sturmer’s nomination to Rio de Janeiro, having believed that Baroness von Sturmer ‘was in a very bad state of health, that she had been at the waters at Carlsbad… [and] ….had represented her situation to Prince Metternich & obtained his promise not to send her husband to America, it being impossible for her to accompany him’ , continuing ‘We have lately had a visit here from a person who must be well known to Count Capo d’Istria [Ioannis Kapodistrias, the Greek statesman and Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire 1816-22] if I may judge from a very handsome present which he showed to Lady Lowe as having been received by him from Count Capo d’Istria – Captain Spencer of the Royal Navy, son of Earl Spencer. He had a good deal of conversation with Montholon…..but could not see Bonaparte who was stated to be taken ill soon after his arrival here. He has been out however since, and has appeared to those who had any opportunity of seeing his face, a little paler than usual, but not altered in any other respect. Montholon has said he is recovering – but slowly. Captain Spencer had to endure a long declamatory tirade from Bertrand but it produced I believe very little effect. The Countess according to a very common practice with her on such occasions had previously sought to extract what were Captain Spencer’s political connexions and finding they were not generally on the side of the present administration both the Count & her thought they might open with….confidence towards him. The persons at Longwood however, as I apprehend have been rendered sensible by their conversations with Capt. Spencer, of the wide difference that prevails between the sentiments of those persons who are connected with any of the distinguished families which form a part of what is called the opposition and that race of individuals who from motives of private interest or from revenge at the disappointment of some….plot….for inflaming the public mind in the Morning Chronicle and in the pages of the Edinburg Review, for it is from persons of such stamp the inhabitants of Longwood have most generally drawn all the lights they possess in respect to English affairs, lights which have proved only an “Ignis fatui” to them – to lead them into the quagmires of still deeper disappointment & mortification’. Lowe concludes his letter by stating that he has contacted Lord Bathurst and Mr. Hamilton, the under secretary of state at the Foreign Office on behalf of Balmain and sends his affectionate regards to Countess Balmain, remarking ‘She should not have made Lady Lowe a grand mama quite so soon. The little uncle & aunt your child will have here are all doing well’ . Although incomplete, the letter features fine content. VG   Count Alexander de Balmain, a Russian commissioner was present on St. Helena from 1816 to 1820 during which time he married Charlotte Johnson, the elder stepdaughter of Hudson Lowe.