BISMARCK Otto von (1815-1898) chancelier allemand. L.S. "vBismarck" with 3 autograph lines, Gastein 31 August 1879, to Generalfeldmarschall Edwin von MANTEUFFEL in Berlin; the letter is written by Herbert von Bismarck, imitating his father's handwriting; 3 and a half pages in-4; in German. To the new governor of Alsace-Lorraine. [The law of July 4, 1879 gave the Reichsland Elsaß-Lothringen a new status and a new governor (Statthalter) with important civil and military powers, directly dependent on the Emperor, the first (1879-1885) being the newly appointed General Edwin von MANTEUFFEL (1809-1885); Bismarck thus ruled out a rival who was expected to succeed him]. Manteuffel having asked Bismarck for additional financial means for these new tasks, Bismarck answers here that he is not responsible for this situation and that he can do nothing from Bad Gastein where he is taking the waters. He advises Manteuffel to contact Kaiser Wilhelm I directly... He adds a compliment with his own hand: "Euere Exzellenz bitte ich die Versicherung meiner ausgezeichneten Hochachtung zu genehmigen"... A P.S., Friedrichsruh 1 July 1887 (1 p. in-fol. partly imp., in German), is enclosed for the payment of a pension. Plus a P.S. from Marshal SOULT Duke of Dalmatia, March 24, 1845.