Alexander Davison | Papers relating to the financial affairs of Emma, Lady Hamilton, 1801-1818

Property from the Jean Hart Kislak Collection

Emma, Lady Hamilton--Alexander Davison

Documents and correspondence relating to the financial affairs of Emma, Lady Hamilton:

i) Alexander Davison, his copy of part of the Will of Sir William Hamilton, dated 28 May 1801, with Hamilton's codicil of 31 March 1803, giving particulars of bequests to his wife Emma (£300 immediately, £800 per annum, etc.) and to Lord Nelson ("The Copy of Mad. Le Bruns Picture of Emma in Enamel by Boze I give to my Dearest Friend Lord Nelson...the most virtuous loyal and trusty brave Character I ever met with..."), 2 pages, folio, integral blank, endorsement

ii-iii) Alexander Davison, retained autograph drafts or copies of two letters to Lady Hamilton: one responding to her accusations that he was interfering with her plans at Merton, referring to "the trust imposed in me by our mutual & dearest friend Lord Nelson", and offering a lengthy and defensive vindication of himself against her charge that he had been meddling with her "exclusive prerogative in [her] schemes & plans"; explaining that her plans would cost £4,000 as against Nelson's intended outlay of no more than three or four hundred pounds ("...if you will not be offended by my offering an opinion...the sooner the pleasure grounds & Gardens are finished the better, as the season by & bye will not be so favorable for such work...I am well aware that you are as desirous as myself to be correct in the expenditure of his money and that every shilling should be laid out to the best possible advantage...I am sure on more mature reflection, you will acknowledge me to be right..."); the other sending her "all the Plans of Merton" and continuing to endeavour to allay her fears about his interference ("...I ever shall discharge the Trust to the best of my Power for His Interest to the best of my Judgement..."); 7 pages in all, folio and 4to, King's Bench Terrace, 19-28 June 1804 

iv) Alexander Davison, autograph memorandum signed, detailing payments made to Lady Hamilton and to "Alex Davison Noel Templer & Co" from December 1805 to 10 August 1807 amounting to £1,035 5s 1 d, 1 page, oblong 4to, St James's Square, 10 August 1807, central fold 

v) Alexander Davison, retained autograph draft of a letter to Lady Hamilton, responding to her letters about her "embarrassment in pecuniary matters',' which has unfortunately occurred at a time of "universal distress" when bankers are down to their last shilling, nevertheless, considering her circumstances and "in the absence of the Admiral", agreeing to her having a temporary loan of £450 "till the Harvest has been got in"; 2 pages, 4to, St James's Square, 31 August 1812

vi-viii) S.Trickey, lawyer to Lady Hamilton, three autograph letters signed to Alexander Davison, relating to Davison's attempt to recover Hamilton's debts to him ("...I beg to remind you I apply professionally & as such am intitled to attention! nor sh[ould] it be forgotten that this unfortunate Lady has very very often Administered comfort to a very particular friend of yours when in Prison!!!..."), 4 pages, 4to and 8vo, one integral address leaf and one separate address wrapper, postal marks, 20 September to 9 November 1813, seal tear

ix-xv) Further group of papers relating to the management of Lady Hamilton's annuities and debts after her death, comprising: J. Dawson, autograph letter signed, to Alexander Davison, concerning Lady Hamilton's debts, Savile Place, 18 March 1818; Alexander Davison, retained autograph draft reply to Dawson, concerning £457 as "fourth part of the Annuity to Lady Hamilton and Interest", Swarland Hall, 1 April 1818; Messrs Dawson & Wratislaw, series of five bills addressed to Davison, detailing charges for extensive legal services rendered in connection with Lady Hamilton's debts from 26 November 1812 to March 1818, the last signed by Richard B.H. Ridgway and annotated by Davison in pencil ("...1st April 1818, drew at sight in favor of Mess Coutts & Co p GBP242..16..10 the balance"); 13 pages in all , folio and 8vo, integral blank and address leaf, endorsement, 1818, the draft slightly frayed

These letters exemplify Davison's concern over Emma Hamilton's characteristic extravagance in connection with Merton Place, for which Davison had acted as Nelson's financial overseer. The sheer magnitude of Emma Hamilton's unthinking extravagance is reflected in documents which show that the repercussions for her creditors were still being felt three years or more after her death. Emma Hamilton did not always appreciate Davison's attempts to urge restraint, and incurred her anger accordingly. Nevertheless, Davison remained one of Lady Hamilton's closest allies and sympathisers. He did his best to get the Prince of Wales to honour Nelson's "Legacy to his country", and Emma herself did soon continue to express her warm sense of "Everlasting Gratitude" for his endeavours on her behalf: "be assured to my last breathe", she wrote to him on 21 December 1808, "I shall feel a glory in having had Alexander Davison for my friend as did Nelson to his death Dye Loving & respecting you more then He Did any man Living, Relations not Excepted" (National Maritime Museum, LBK/7 MS 9640). 

Sympathy has its limits, however. Emma felt that Davison was quick to transfer his allegiance to the newly prospering Nelson family rather than tend to her interests, and Davison's liberality did not extend to aiding her himself beyond a temporary loan, for which he soon sought repayment.

PROVENANCE

The Alexander Davison Collection, Sotheby's, London, 21 October 2002, lot 88