ETHIOPIA - Pellegrino MATTEUCCI(1850-1881, Italian explorer - Lot 368

ETHIOPIA - Pellegrino MATTEUCCI(1850-1881, Italian explorer of Africa) - MADERAKAL(Interpreter to the Emperor of Ethiopia YOHANESS IV, 1837-1889, Negus from 1872 to 1889, Maderakal had been adopted by Théophile Lefebvre, 1811-1860, naval officer and explorer, during a mission to Ethiopia and brought back to France in 1843) / Rare autograph letter signed "F. Madérakal premier interprète et secrétaire des Affaires Etrangères de Sa Majesté Johaness Roy des Roys d'Ethiopie", 3 pages in-4,Semara(Ethiopia), July 2, 1879, toPellegrino MATTEUCCI [nb: The expression being approximate, the transcription has been made so as to bring a better understanding]: "I present you my sincere compliments since our separation, and asking your pardon, I present in the same way to all my friends your companions and compatriots - Ha! Ha! Grave, grave and misfortune to this Ras Araïa [nb: brother of Yohaness IV who was married to Menélik's sister], what gravity and misfortune he has committed in making this melancholy affair against you just and innocent of receiving such affair - In place of the Ras, I prefer, that I was not born, you will see or know on your return, the furious look, the dead smile of an absolute King, thank God! what will be the end!... - My uncle didn't do this against these gentlemen but against me, he didn't chain these good people but me, we'll see about that - Your 3 friends and myself, we entered His Majesty's house to present him with a letter and tell him about this melancholy affair, as soon as we arrived, he smiled, a smile and a dead look, he turned pale, and for 3 minutes quite swollen - He read the letter of sadness and our words that they are the same, then he read the letter aloud to the people and leaders who were there! and the words that came out of his mouth, I will not be able to express - I hope for your return and I also hope that for this small and bad accident you will forget - They already say that you have left, you are doing well - Revenge will be taken by His Majesty and the reward you will have will be great, I only beg you not to change your hearts and your thoughts, and the words and promises already made, this is a lesson, it will not happen again for the future, but woe and woe to the Rasse!... - I present my sincere and infinite compliments to all my dear friends whom I hope to embrace a second time - To God, To God, I wish you a good and fruitful journey."