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, 30 July 1891, to one of his ministers, in French. The letter is headed with a pretty embossed crown. The King is probably writing to his Minister of the Interior, Jules de older (1842-1919), expressing his keen interest in Maria-Kerke's projects, stating in particular: "If they do not involve any financial 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..."? 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. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1909.