Leopold II of Belgium (1835-1909) - Lot 47

Leopold II of Belgium (1835-1909) King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. Leopold was the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State, a private project undertaken on his own behalf. He called on explorer Henry Morton Stanley to help him claim the Congo, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An excellent, long A.L.S., "Léopold", four pages, Pavillon d'Ostende, July 30, 1891, to one of his ministers, in French. The letter is headed with a handsome embossed crown. The king is probably writing to his Minister of the Interior, Jules de older (1842-1919), expressing his keen interest in MariaKerke's projects, stating in particular: "If they do not involve any pecuniary participation by the State, the province or the commune, .. these major works would increase the value of the state-owned dunes and our advance towards the coast...", adding: "What serious criticism can be levelled at such costly and disinterested efforts to increase the attractiveness of our country..."? I beg you to insist to the Council that M. de Bruyn be authorized to present the bill now." Before concluding, Leopold mentions that he will also write to Beernaert. In very good condition. EX Mariakerke is part of the city of Ghent in Flanders. Léon de Bruyn (1838-1908), Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Public Works. Auguste Beernaert (1829-1912), Prime Minister and Minister of Finance from 1884 to 1994. Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1909.