WILLIAM III: (1650-1702) King of England, Scotland and Ireland 1689-1702. A.L.S., William ...

WILLIAM III: (1650-1702) King of England, Scotland and Ireland 1689-1702. A.L.S., William R, as King, two pages (written to the first and third sides of the bifolium), small 4to, The Hague, 24th May 169? (early-mid 1690s), to an unidentified correspondent, although evidently a military commander, in French. The King states that he has just arrived in The Hague, having had a very happy passage, and continues 'si je croyais que je pouvais entreprendre quelque chose je repartirais demain pour l'armee. mais je vous avoue que je crains que l'occasion est passee, et il me serait fort desagreable a present de venir a l'armee sans pouvoir rien entreprendre, c'est pourquoi je vous prie de me faire savoir vos sentiments sur ce que l'on pourrait faire' (Translation: ' if I thought I could undertake something I would leave tomorrow for the army. But I confess to you that I fear that the opportunity has passed, and it would be very unpleasant for me at present to come to the army without being able to undertake anything, which is why I beg you to let me know your feelings on what could be done'), further adding that he has sent an order to Dopp to come and meet him, and explaining that he would have also invited his correspondent although feels that their health will not allow it and that they should not leave the troops. The upper right corners of each page torn away (with loss to the date) and subsequently restored, and with a few heavy areas of age toning slightly affecting the text (which remains perfectly legible) but not the signature. G

King William III's letter was evidently written during the Nine Years' War (1688-97) between France and the Grand Alliance. The King was absent from England for much of this period, leaving each spring and returning to England each autumn.