ETHIOPIA - Pellegrino MATTEUCCI (1850–1881, Italian explorer - Lot 309

Lot 309
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ETHIOPIA - Pellegrino MATTEUCCI (1850–1881, Italian explorer - Lot 309
ETHIOPIA - Pellegrino MATTEUCCI (1850–1881, Italian explorer of Africa) - MADERAKAL (Interpreter for Emperor YOHANESS IV of Ethiopia, 1837–1889, Negus from 1872 to 1889; Maderakal had been adopted by Théophile Lefebvre, 1811–1860, a naval officer and explorer, during a mission to Ethiopia and brought back to France in 1843) / Rare autograph letter signed “F. Madérakal, Chief Interpreter and Secretary of Foreign Affairs to His Majesty Johaness, King of Kings of Ethiopia,” 3 pages in-4, Semara (Ethiopia), July 2, 1879, to Pellegrino MATTEUCCI [Note: As the wording is approximate, the transcription has been adapted to provide a clearer understanding]: "I offer you my sincere regards since our parting, and while asking for your forgiveness, I likewise extend them to all my friends, your companions and compatriots—Ha! Ha! Woe, woe to this Ras Araïa [note: brother of Yohaness IV, who was married to Menelik’s sister]—what a grave and wretched act he has committed by instigating this lamentable affair against you, who are just and innocent and have no part in such a matter - If I were in the Ras’s place, I would wish I had never been born. You will see—or learn upon your return—the furious gaze and the deathly smile of an absolute king, by the grace of God! What will become of this!... - My uncle did not do this against these gentlemen but against me; he did not chain up these good people but me—we shall see about that - Your three friends and I went into His Majesty’s presence to present him with a letter and tell him about this tragic affair. No sooner had we arrived than he smiled—a smile accompanied by a dead stare—then he turned pale, and for three full minutes he was completely flushed - He read the sorrowful letter and our words—which were the same—and then he read the letter aloud to the people and the leaders who were there! And the words that came out of his mouth—I don’t know how to describe them - I look forward to your return, and I also hope you’ll forget about this minor, unfortunate incident - People are already saying you’ve moved on—you’re doing the right thing - Vengeance will be carried out by His Majesty, and the reward you will receive will be great. I only ask that you not change your hearts or your thoughts, nor the words and promises already made. This is a lesson; it will not happen again in the future, but woe and woe to the Rasse!... - I offer my sincere and boundless regards to all my dear friends, whom I hope to embrace once more—Farewell, farewell; I wish you a safe and fruitful journey."
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