George III Letter Signed Related to the Disasterous Walcheren Campaign

1p of a bifolium, measuring 7.25" x 9.25", Windsor Castle, dated November 4, 1809. A short missive signed "George R", approving of military plans. Reads in full: "The King entirely approves of the Instructions to Lieut General Don which Lord Liverpool has submitted." With docketing on verso. Letter has flattened mail folds. Light toning, foxing, and soiling throughout. Boldly signed.

The letter is likely in reference to Secretary of War, Lord Liverpool's orders to evacuate the city of Flushing and destroy the basin and naval defenses on the island of Walcheren (formerly a Dutch province of Zeeland). The British had landed on the island on July 30, 1809, as part of a campaign aimed to aid the Austrians in the Napoleonic War. The campaign, however, was a disaster as the Austrians were already seeking peace negotiations with the French, and the British lost 4,000 men to "Walcheren Fever"(which scholars believe to be a combination of malaria and typhus). An evacuation was ordered on November 13 and most of the British forces had withdrawn by December 9. On December 10, the flood gates at Flushing's naval basin were destroyed as the last of the British troops evacuated. A year later, George III became increasingly more ill, likely triggered by the death of his favorite daughter, Princess Amelia. The following year, the Regency Act of 1811 was enacted. George III spent the rest of his days in seclusion at Windsor Castle, having become permanently mentally unstable.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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