Metternich, Clemens Wenzel von

A CONFIDENTIAL, REVEALING, AND CLOSELY-WRITTEN, CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SITUATION, two letters dating from 1814 and forty between 17 December 1839 and 29 March 1841, mentioning Muhammad Ali Pasha, Nourri Effendi, Sainte-Aulaire, Palmerston, Ponsonby, Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Beauvale, Thiers, Baron Bülow, the Austrian and Russian Emperors, the King of Naples and others

...[16 April 1840] Je ne suis point surpris que la présence de Nourri-Effendi à Londres, n'ait jusqu' à cette heure rien changé à la situation embarrassée de l'affaire égyptienne. Le fait était d'avance certain; aussi n'est qu'une pensée dilatoire qui a engagé Lord Palmerston à appeler ce triste personage. Ce que je me permet d'espérer, c'est que si Nourri-Effendi est privé des moyens de faire advancer la négociation, il ne sera pas davantage à même de la faire reculer...



c.188 pages, various 4to sizes, with a few copies in a secretarial hand, some autograph deletions to the letter of 10 July 1840, the letters gilt-edged or black-edged, with nine autograph envelopes signed or initialled by Metternich, one letter with signature cut away, with ten pages of modern manuscript notes, and one typed page, concerning Metternich's letters to Neumann, Paris, Vienna and elsewhere, 1814-1841

Formerly in the collection of Sir Christopher Codrington, 2nd Baronet of Dodington (see sale in these rooms, 28 March 1960, lot 193)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

AN IMPORTANT SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF EUROPEAN DIPLOMACY.

These letters, written in a forthright and lively style, brim with characteristically expressed advice to Neumann as to how he should represent the Austrian viewpoint in London. In some cases there are two letters dated the same day: one to be communicated at Neumann's discretion to those with whom he was dealing, and the other, headed "Secrète", for Neumann's eyes alone.

The Oriental Crisis of 1840, which occupies much of the correspondence, arose from the self-declared Khedive of Egypt Muhammad Ali's ambition to establish for himself an empire in the Ottoman province of Egypt. France's initial support for Muhammad Ali brought it into conflict with the other Great Powers, Russia and England. In the event, the French Prime Minister Adolphe Thiers was unwilling to risk open conflict with Britain and switched sides against Muhammad Ali. Following this diplomatic reverse the French government directed its focus towards the question of the Rhine frontier with Germany, restating its claims to the territories on the left bank. Before, however, this matter could escalate to a European war, Thiers's government fell and the crisis was defused. 

Metternich's correspondent was the Austrian diplomat  Philipp von Neumann (1781-1851), who had joined the staff of the Austrian Embassy in London under Prince Esterházy. Neumann was regarded as highly effective, particularly in the years 1814-1815, when he was involved in the matter of the remittance of British subsidies to the Austrian government. As a reward for his services in the negotiations of the Treaty of Commerce between Austria and Great Britain, Neumann was created a Baron in August 1830.