Paul I, Emperor of Russia | letter signed, to Captain Alexander Ball, in French, about Malta, 1799

Paul I, Emperor of Russia

Letter signed ("Paul"), as Tsar, to Captain Alexander Ball, 21 December 1799

in French, conferring upon Captain Ball the cross of an Honorary Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, in recognition of his exceptional services rendered to the Sovereign Order after Malta, its ancient home, had fallen into the hands of the French and enclosing the Commander's Cross awarded to him (not included)

"...Les services éclatans que Vous avés rendu à l'Ordre Souverain de S^t Jean de Jérusalem, depuis que l'Isle de Malthe, son ancienne résidence, est tombée entre les mains des François, ayant mérité notre approbation, Nous avons bien voulu, en témoignage de Notre bienveillance particulière, Vous créer Commandeur honoraire de cet Ordre; à cet éffet Vous recevés ci-joint la Croix du Commandeur ..."

1 page, 4to, St Petersburg, 21 December 1799 

Captain Alexander John Ball (1757-1809) was an important figure in freeing Malta from the French and bringing it under British rule in 1801. Captain Ball besieged the French in Malta and Gozo from 1798 to 1800, leading the marines and local militia on the ground. He became the figurehead of Malta's resistance to the French, who had captured the island from the rather unpopular Knights of Malta in 1798. The Knights were dispersed, mainly to St Petersburg, where Tsar Paul I gave them shelter, and they duly elected him as their Grand Master. Paul responded by founding new chapters of the Order of the Knights of St John. Because of Ball's popularity in Malta, its leaders presented the main island to him, asking to become a British Dominion, and, now a baronet, he served as their Governor until his death in 1809.