Cetshwayo, Zulu King | Letter, to Mrs Brightman, 7 August 1882

Cetshwayo, Zulu King

letter, in the third person, to Mrs Brightman, 

writiting that "The Ex King Cetywayo presents his compliments" but that whilst "appreciating their kind thought, his other engagements will prevent his being able to avail himself of your kind invitation", 1 page, 8vo, [London], 7 August 1882, on embossed Colonial Office stationery, framed and glazed, light staining

Cetshwayo (here transliterated as Cetawayo) had been King during the Anglo-Zulu War, the occasion of the famous British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana in January 1879. He had been deposed after the British captured the Zulu capital of Ulundi in July 1879 and was exiled to Britain. Continuing unrest in Zululand led the British to attempt to restore Cetshwayo in 1883 but he died the following year. 

This letter is thought to be in a scribal hand.