SPENCER, John, 1st Earl (1734-1783). Politician.
Two Autograph Letters Signed, only one signed, to Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803, diplomat, husband of Nelson's Emma), in all 5 pages 4to with one address-leaf. The first letter is from London, dated 13 November 1766, the second dated in anotehr hand 1775. It would appear that both may be incomplete.
The first letter deals with Spencer's attempts to procure for Hamilton an advancement, establishing him as a plentipotentiary, the second is addressed to him in Naples with that title. An amusing postscript to the second letter complains that 'I have just heard from our Duchess who is well, but not in a way of making me a grandfather.' The daughter in question is the renowned Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. This unfortunate woman suffered multiple miscarriages, not giving birth to her daughter Georgina until 1783.

'... I had a conversation this morning with Ld Shelbourne on the Subject, for as it is in his department, he is ye person who must mention it to ye King ... You should write a letter to him, such as he might shew to ye King, petitioning for this advancement, alledging as far as you thought proper ye works of favor or regard which ye King had formerly shewn you ...'
 '... I envy you ye sight of Mount Vesuvius in his rage, & from what I saw of it when I was there, have so much curiosity that I think I could almost consent to take a Summers toasting, as much as I hate hot weather, to see an eruption. ...'

Provenance: from a collection formed by A.M. Broadley in 1903.
[No: 24834]