GALITZINE ALEXANDER: (1773-1844) Russian Statesman, Minister and confidante of Tsar Alexander I. Chairman of State Council under Nicholas I. A very fine L.S., `Prince Alexandre Galitzin´, a bold ink signature by the at that time, almost blind Prince Galitzine, three pages, 4to, Saint Petersburg, 22<sup>nd</sup> May/3<sup>rd</sup> June 1841, to Baron Kreidener, in French. Galitzine thanks his correspondent for his letter full of congratulations for the award received, stating in part `Je remercie votre Excellence pour tout ce que vous me dites d´affectueux… à l´occasion de la grâce que Sa Majesté l´Empereur a bien voulu m´accorder - je ne saurai assez reconnaitre la manière don't Sa Majesté a daigné exprimer Sa bonté à mon égard´ (Translation: `I thank your Excellency for allthe things you tell me with affection… on the occasion of the grace that His Majesty the Emperor has been good enough to grant me - I cannot sufficiently recognize the way in which His Majesty has condescended to express His kindness to me´) Galitzine further refers to his correspondent´s nephew wedding approval by the Emperor, saying `Votre neveu Mr. Ochando doit être bien impatient de conclure son marriage, il attend la permission de Sa Majesté. S´il tarde de la recevoir, la faute n´en est pas au Comte Nesselrode qui a reçu la demande de votre neveu presque à la veille du départ de l´Empereur pour Moscou…´ (Translation: `Your nephew Mr. Ochando must be very impatient to conclude his marriage, he is awaiting His Majesty's permission. If he is late in receiving it, it is not the fault of Count Nesselrode who received your nephew's request almost on the eve of the Emperor's departure for Moscow...´) The front page bears a blind embossed monogram seal to the upper left heading. Accompanied by a 7 x 9 engraving of Prince Galitzine. Very small minor creasing, otherwise VG

Karl Nesselrode (1780-1862) Russian Count and Diplomat. Foreign Affairs Minister 1816-56

Nicholas I (1796-1855) Emperor of Russia 1825-55.