[NAPOLEON III]: (1808-1873) Emperor of the French 1852-70, nephew of Napoleon I. WISEMAN ...

[NAPOLEON III]: (1808-1873) Emperor of the French 1852-70, nephew of Napoleon I. WISEMAN NICHOLAS (1802-1865) English Cardinal of the Catholic Church, the first cardinal resident in England since the Reformation and first Archbishop of Westminster. A.L.S., Cardinal Wiseman, in the third person, two pages, 4to, Portman Square, London, 17th April 1855, to the French Ambassador [Count Alexandre Colonna-Walewski]. Wiseman enquires 'whether, during the sojourn of Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of the French in this country, there will be any opportunity for him to have the honour of presenting his respectful homage to Their Imperial Majesties, without inconvenience to them: as for example, should it be their intention any day to receive at the Embassy' and further adds that, should the Emperor and Empress's arrangements have already been made, Wiseman would 'feel extremely obliged to H.E. if he will respectfully convey to Their Imperial Majesties the expression of his profound veneration; with the assurance that however gratifying and flattering it might be to him to renew personally the declaration of these sentiments, it will be sufficient for him to know that this desire has been accepted and interpreted as an act of sincere and heartfelt homage'. With blank integral leaf. A few tears and some light creasing to the edges, only just affecting a few words of text, G

Count Alexandre Colonna-Walewski (1810-1868) French Statesman and Minister of Foreign Affairs under Napoleon III. Illegitimate son of Napoleon I and Maria, Countess Walewska. Walewski served as an Envoy Extraordinary to London (1851-55), where he was charged with announcing the coup d'etat to Prime Minister Viscount Palmerston. In April 1855 Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie visited England where they were received by Queen Victoria.