[AFFLECK, Philip (b. after 1725?, d. 1799), naval officer]. Autograph receipt signed by Shain Douglas, on board the Triumph, Antigua, 14^th May 1781, 1 side, 4to.“Received from Capn. Affleck the Pay Tickets and unservle. Certificates under mentd. for the use of His Mjys Ship Triumph under my Command; being the Balance unexpended while Capn. Affleck Commanded the Ship”, followed by the ticket numbers. Small hole in paper blank, and right edge nibbled.

Affleck was appointed to the Triumph (74 guns) in 1779 in the Channel Fleet under Sir Charles Hardy. In 1780 he was sent to the West Indies to reinforce Sir George Rodney, and was with him in the engagements with the comte de Guichen on 15 and 19 May, in his visit to New York in September, and at the capture of St Eustatius in the following February; returning with Rodney to England as a passenger in August 1781. In the following year he was involved in the battle of the Saints. He had attained the rank of admiral of the white when he died at Bath on 21 December 1799. ODNB

 

Bickerton, Sir Richard Hussey, second baronet (1759–1832), naval officer. Letter signed, to Commissr. Fanshawe [?], folio, 1 side, Carnatic, Hamoaze 9^th March 1791, communicating orders that "His Majesty’s Ship Bombay Castle being ordered for immediate Service I am to desire you will cause her Masts’ to be inspected and any defects made good with all possible dispatch." Docketed on the reverse, dated 9^th March 1791.

£50

Bickerton held commands in the West Indies, and from the outbreak of war in 1793, was posted to the Channel, the North Sea fleet, and the Mediterranean. For a short period Bickerton served as commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, until 1803, when he became second in command under Lord Nelson, with whom he served at the blockade of Toulon of 1803 to 1805. The Bombay Castle was a 74 gun ship, active in the Channel and Mediterranean.

 

COMMISSION SIGNED BY SIR JOHN BARROW

CHAMBERLAIN, William Charles (1818-1878), Rear-admiral. Commission to Mr W.C Chamberlain as Mate of Her Majesty’s Steam Vessel Stromboli, 10th September 1840, printed with manuscript insertions on parchment sheet (11 x 13 inches), with the autograph signature of John Barrow. With folds, but otherwise in extremely fine condition.

£100

William Charles Chamberlain was the eldest son of Sir Henry Chamberlain and his second wife, Anne Eugenia née Morgan. Shortly after this commission, Chamberlain was promoted Lieutenant on board the Stromboli for service in the Mediterranean. He become Commander in 1847 of Britomart serving off the west coast of Africa, and held further commissions as Commander and Captain; was Superintendent at the Devonport dockyard; and finally attained the rank of Rear-Admiral.

Chamberlain married firstly Elizabeth Jane Hall in 1845 (daughter of Captain Basil Hall, R.N.), by whom he had 3 sons: Basil Hall Chamberlain (1850-1935), a Japanologist; Henry Chamberlain (1853-1923), a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy; and Houston Stewart Chamberlain (1855-1927), a racialist writer. He married secondly in 1872, Sarah Morgan Holroyd.

The signatory, Sir John Barrow (1764–1848), was a great promoter of exploration and was a pre-eminent author of travels and the lives of explorers. He held a secretaryship of the Admiralty for forty years up to his retirement in 1845.

Don, Sir George (1756–1832), army officer and colonial governor. Two letters signed, and one receipt signed, from Geo. Don all connected with the British defence of Minorca, as follows:

1. Letter signed, to The Honble Major Knollis, Fort St. Philips, 27th November 1781, 1 side, small 4to, docketed on reverse, concerning a cargo of barley and vessel being seized as a Droit of Admiralty "The Cargo of Barley lately landed from on Board the Portuguese Schooner, being necessary for the use of the Garrison; you will therefore be pleased to have the James valued on the part of the Government ....... it being condemned as a Droit of Admiralty, the value thereof to be ascertained".  Paper partly browned, and with two blobs of ink and wax.

2. Manuscript receipt, 1 side on half of a folio sheet, docketed on the reverse, "Receiv’d from the Honble Major Knollis Qr Mr General the Sum of one hundred fifty three Dollars, three Rials and eight Doblers, being my Pay as Secretary to the Honble Lieut. General James Murray Governor of Minoria, from 25th Decr.1781 to 23rd Feby 1782 ...". Paper browned down centre along the line of a fold.

3. Autograph letter signed by Don as "late Adjt General to the Garrison of Minorca", addressed "Gentlemen", London 2nd December 1791, 1 side, 4to, "General Murray has desired me to request, you would have the goodness to perm it me to take a Copy, from the Books of your Office, of the order from the Treasury of the 14th of April last, directing the article of the extra Staff etc. of the late Garrison of Minorca ....." In another hand, a note "Leave granted under the usual restrictions.  J.D   J.P.B." PHOTO

                                                                                                                                                            £150

Don was promoted lieutenant in the 51st Regiment in 1774 while stationed at Fort St Philip, Minorca, where he became aide-de-camp to the Governor, General Johnstone. In 1781 General James Murray succeeded Johnstone as Governor, and Don became his military secretary. The siege of Minorca began in August 1781 with a blockade by 16,000 French and Spanish troops under the Duc de Crillon, against Murray's garrison of only 2000 troops. By October, de Crillon despairing of reducing the fort, secretly offered Murray a bribe of £1 million to surrender, but Murray spurned the insult. By 5th February 1782 Murray's garrison was so reduced by the ravages of scurvy that only 600 men remained partially fit for duty. A capitulation was arranged, and the remaining garrison marched out between two lines of French and Spanish troops. Don was chief of the staff during the gallant but unavailing defence of Fort St Philip, and was sent to London with his report on the siege by Murray, who commended him highly. He went on to join the 59th Regiment in Gibraltar, and in 1791 to took up a staff appointment in England, before further postings abroad.

 

ELLENBOROUGH, Edward Law, first earl of (1790–1871), politician and governor-general of India. Autograph letter signed, to Major General Sir Philip M. Melville, 2 sides, 8vo, Southam Delabere, Cheltenham, January 4th 1866. Thanking him for his "Memorials from the Officers of the Indian Army", adding "There is another subject which ought to occupy the -?- attention of the Govr. that of facilitating and inducing the transfer of officers from the Queen’s to the Indian Service this a matter of vital importance." Narrow strip of paper adhering to reverse edge indicating removal from an album page

£50

Prior to the Indian Mutiny of 1857, Ellenborough had urged Canning not to reduce the strength of European troops in India, which were being reduced to support the Crimea campaign. He sacrificed his own post in government in urging restraint after the Mutiny, but it paid off in the passing of a royal proclamation of November 1858, with its offer of a wide-ranging amnesty and promises to respect the rights and beliefs of Indians.

 

ESTCOURT, James Bucknall (1802–1855), army officer. Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent, 2 sides, 4to, Montreal, Thursday June 5 1845, thanking him for a book which he has since given to "Colonel Holloway, who commands the Engineers in Canada .......we hope, that it is the first of many communications with which your service will favour the new “Aide Memoire"......... That work of Major Turnbull giving an account of his operations has, I think, been sent to Captain Davison by him some time since, and no doubt has been Colonel ---?--- ....... made known to the Editors of the proposed work. We are much obliged to you however for the offer you were so good as to make of it". Left margin with old glue line from mounting, and small piece of paper torn from top blank margin.

    £75

From 1835 to 1837 Estcourt was second in command to Colonel F. R. Chesney during his expedition to the Euphrates valley, and in 1842 was appointed the British Commissioner to participate in the survey to trace the Northeast Boundary between Canada and the United States of America. Colonel Holloway was William Cuthbert Elphinstone-Holloway (1787–1850), appointed CRE in Canada between 1843 and 1849. Estcourt is best known for his service in the Crimea as adjutant-general and major-general under Lord Raglan, where however he contracted cholera and died in 1855. ODNB.

VETERANS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY & ANGLO-AMERICAN WARS

FANNING, Edmund (1737–1818), colonial official and army officer. Autograph letter signed to Lieut. Manwaring, H.M.S. Plantagenet, 4to, 3 sides, Prince Edward Island, 15 June 1813, thanking him for his letter in which he had forwarded a letter from his mother, but saying that his parents are unable to answer the enquiries about his mother’s property on the island, “I understand that Peter Rose in whose care he left it [the land], died about six months ago, and that the Land and Property is left in the Possession of his widow Mrs Rose & her deceased Husband’s Brother …….. I do not apprehend that there can be any difficulty in finding many persons here who may have some knowledge of the Transaction between your Father and Mr Rose …… I intend soon returning to England having lately lost my only son a Captain in HMs 22d Regt of Foot ……. I recalled your Father Captain Manwaring very well. He served sometime under my Command & was a very deserving Officer…”. Small holes and edge nicks along creases.

Together with

MAINWARING, Edward Reeves Philip (1788-1865), naval officer. Autograph document signed by Edward R.P. Mainwaring Capt. RN, 4to, 3 sides, [no date] detailing a summary of his early service “…. entered the Navy in June 1799 on board HMS Roebuck commanded by Capt John Buchanan – was engaged in her Boats in action with the Spanish Gun Boats in the G- of Gibraltar …….. assisted in landing the British troops in the Morning of the 8^th of March in Egypt…….. when Lieut. of the Plantagenet in the Baltic frequently ingaged in her Boats with Danish Gun Boats ….. in December 1813 with the Barge of that ship I took the American letter of Marque Rapid mounting one long twenty four pounder & thirty men – for which service won the approbation of the late Sir John Warren the Admiral Commanding in Chief …… on the Coast of America I was frequently ingaged with the Enemy both on shore & afloat …….. at the Battle of Trafalgar I was with the Squadron under the Command of the late Sir John Jervis ….”. Small holes and edge nicks along creases.

 The two £250

Edmund Fanning was born in 1737 on Long Island, New York. After graduating from Yale in 1757 he settled in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where he held several political posts, becoming a protégé of colonial governor William Tryon. After serious conflict with the leaders of the Regulator movement, Fanning followed Tryon to New York in 1771 as his personal secretary. At the start of the American Revolution he was driven from his home, following which he was commissioned a colonel by General William Howe, and went on to raise a regiment of Loyalists named the King's American Regiment. He was wounded twice during the war and was credited with saving Yale College from destruction by British forces. At the end of the war he became a colonel in the British army; was appointed lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia; and in 1786 was appointed lieutenant-governor of Prince Edward Island, from which position he resigned in 1805. He moved permanently to London in 1813 and died there in 1818. He was survived by his wife and their three daughters. As recorded in the letter, he had lost his only son Frederick Augustus (1789–1812).

Fanning’s correspondent and the writer of the second document was Edward Reeves Philip Mainwaring, born in Leeds 16 June 1788 the son of Edward Manwaring (both spellings found) and Elizabeth Judith Reeves. Mainwaring served as Lieutenant on the Plantagenet from 1807 to 1815, until 1812 under the command of Thomas Eyles, and thereafter under the command of Robert Lloyd, serving in the Baltic, North America and West Indies. Shortly after Fanning wrote to Mainwaring in June 1813 HMS Plantagenet experienced a narrow miss in Lynnhaven Bay (Virginia) when what was reported at the time as ‘a combustible machine called a torpedo’ went off alongside the ship – this was in fact an early version of a contact mine floating below the water’s surface. Mainwaring’s last command was as captain of the Electra in South America.

AN ARMY OFFICER'S DIARY 1853-54   

[GRACE, Sheffield Hamilton (1834-1915)] Autograph diary, measuring 4.5 x 7 inches in soft leather covers (worn), commencing January 1^st 1853, and ending February 28^th 1854, with daily close written entries in ink filling 80 pages describing military duties, social engagements, family affairs, etc based variously in and around Dublin, and the south of England (London, Folkestone, Portsmouth, Bath). PHOTO

January 3^rd. Two Court Martials Regimental & District, Subscription for the wreck 10s : & £1 for the Wellington Memorial.

January 18^th. Went out marching in the morning ……. In the afternoon saw Mary Jane in the garden. Went to the Electric Biology meeting in the evening at the Town Hall …….. I saw Mary Jane at her door coming home & stopped & talked till past 12. I got a valentine in the morning.

February 3. Went out driving in the afternoon with my Aunt Mariana very slow indeed. Went to see Lady Douglas who yelled at me. Left Portman Sq by the 8 o’clock train in the evening slept, arrived at Holyhead at 6 3/4 in morning.

February 5^th. Went to Somerstown with Mrs Brooke saw uncle Percy [Grace] there. Selina & Georgina were very shy I did my feet – could not do more.

March 12^th Had Mama & the kiddies dagerotyped & they had me done. Saw in the paper that the Depot had moved to Fort Cumberland – so sorry to go as I have had such a jolly leave – it was arranged that I go tomorrow in the evening.

June 2^nd [Fort Cumberland] We were inspected this afternoon by Genl Simpson & dined with the Marine Artillery & 93^rd  Highlanders.

July 16^th. I went with Herring to see the Queen embark for Osborne ……...

Nov 2^nd …… went to dine a Sir John Hanbury’s in the evening I met Gen Simpson & Lady Hope[?] & a Miss Abbott. We had a very good dinner & tried table turning afterwards. They could not succeed in turning it & gave it a violent kick. They all exclaimed there it goes round - but afterwards they said it was my fault as I leaned too heavy on it.

Dec 9^th. …… in the evening I went to dine at Genl Frederick’s where I met Miss Fry & Fellows & Prettyman, Radcliff & Kerr of the 20^th where they & I met the Dean of Winchester who offered to take me home in his carriage & I got an invitation to dine with him on 20^th December which I refused in consequence of my going on leave ….

Dec 16^th. I breakfasted at Portman Square alone with Uncle James and then went to Genl Yorke who agreed to go with me to Sir James Kempt. I called on my Uncle Percy who told me that he had told Mr McGregor[?] to return my name for purchase for a Lieut.

Feb 9^th. [Dublin] We had an early breakfast and went to the Puxley’s & Edw Johnstone to the Four Courts to hear Mr Whiteside speak and I was nearly crushed to death.  

£200

The author of the diary can be identified as Sheffield Hamilton Grace (1834-1915) from references to his siblings (“Harry” and Emily), members of the Grace and Hamilton families, the Brooke family of Summerton,  Dublin (eg Francis Brooke), and his military details. Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1834, he was the only son of the historian Sheffield Grace (1788-1850) and Harriet Georgiana, daughter of Lieutenant-General Sir John Hamilton (see ODNB).

Amongst the many individuals cited in the diary, mentions are made of numerous army officers, notably: General Simpson, probably Sir James Simpson (1792–1868) of Crimean war fame; Sir John Hanbury (1782–1863); Sir Charles Yorke (1790–1880); and Sir James Kempt (1763/4–1854). Other mentions of interest include dinner with the dean of Winchester, Thomas Garnier (1776–1873), and attendance to hear “Mr Whiteside” at the Four Courts – the judge and politician James Whiteside (1804–1876).

Shortly after the diary was written Grace joined the 68^th Regiment as Lieutenant and was sent to the Crimea where he saw action at Sebastopol. By his retirement he had attained the rank of Colonel. He married Anne Smijth-Windham in 1875, and they had at least two children, Harriet and Raymond.

 

FROM ON BOARD THE VICTORY 1795

HILL-FLIGHT, Frederick, officer of the Royal Marines.  Autograph letter signed to Charles Cox Esq, No 20 Bartletts Buildings, Holborn, London, 4to 2sides, with integral blank and address panel bearing a curved Portsmouth mark and circular postmark, Victory, Spithead 22nd March 1795, informing Cox that he has embarked and is going to the Mediterranean "it will be necessary for me to have money to lay in my mess.  Thirty guineas will barely set one clear of England ..................... If we get the Hundred Guineas for the hundred men which Col. Bowater has promised to assist us in, you will shortly receive it, and leave you plenty of money of mine in your hands, which I shall be happy at, as I long much to see my accounts wear a new face – they have not smiled for some time – I am sorry for Wingrove, I find he is ordered to the East Indies – married men have the economy of their families much broke in upon when they go such long voyages.  Should he be  successful in Prize Money it will make him some amends". Hole to the integral blank caused by the opened seal.

£125

In 1795 HMS Victory joined the fleet in the Mediterranean under the command of Admiral Hotham, where they engaged in battle with the French off the Hyères Islands, about 25 km east of Toulon. The Victory led the attack supported by the Culloden and disabled the Alcide, but became disabled themselves under fire. The British won the battle, but the Victory and Culloden bore the worst of the casualties, amongst whom Major Frederick Hill-Flight was wounded. Nelson was present at this engagement as Commodore of the Agamemnon.

HODGSON, Studholme (1707/8–1798), army officer. Small archive of six autograph letters and a commission relating to General Hodgson and his family as follows:

1.[General Studholme Hodgson] Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent, 1 side, 4to, Old Burlington Street 13th May 1769, docketed on reverse, regarding a letter from a Mr Francis relating to negotiations with a Mrs Egerton over their house .

2. [General Studholme Hodgson] Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent, 2 sides, 4to, New Lodge near Windsor, 2nd June 1769, docketed on reverse, regarding a letter from Mrs Egerton concerning the house lease "I see it is wrote by Mr Francis and if I don't mistake that Gentleman is very well disposed to gratify a peevish client". In closing remarks he adds "I have kissed the King's Hand on my going to Ireland and I shall not return to town before I set out which will be tomorrow sennight".

3.[Mrs Catherine Hodgson] Autograph letter in third person to Mr Sharpe, 1 side (+ 2 lines), 4to, with integral blank (joint repaired), Old Burlington Street June 26th 1769, docketed on reverse, passing on a note from Mrs Egerton in General Hodgson's absence in Ireland, requesting that workmen do not undertake work in their house as her daughter is in a bad state of health.

4.[Mrs Catherine Hodgson] Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent, 2 sides, 4to, Old Burlington Street 14th Sept 1769, docketed on reverse, regarding Mrs Egerton's expectations that "we should agree to her Terms or quit her house at michaelmas next". In a post-script she adds  "I do not expect the Genl: from Ireland ‘till next July". Margins tatty.

5.[Mrs Catherine Hodgson] Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent, 1 side, 4to, Old Burlington Street Sept 14th 1769, docketed on reverse, regarding a request from Mrs Egerton to meet with her : "I cannot say I am very desirous of that honour, trouble you with this to know if I should receive her, or what written ansr. I should send her, her servant waited for an answer to her letter, but I did not chuse to write without your advice & therefore sent her word I had company with me, but she shou’d hear from me in the morning".

6.[General Studholme Hodgson] Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent, 1 side, 4to, Old Burlington Street 1st Feb 1793, docketed on reverse, regarding regimental lace:  "this morning the Laceman call’d on me to let me know that I had given orders that he should not furnish Lace any longer for the Regiment, I presume he has not serviced the Reg so well as he ought to have done, but I have heard no complaints of him before and I am unwilling to change my Tradesmen".

7.[John Hodgson] Commission on parchment printed with manuscript insertions, appointing John Hodgson, Gentleman, Lieutenant in the Penrith Regiment of Local Militia, signed Lonsdale with wax seal, 23rd April 1810. 6 x 11.5 inches.

The collection £75

Hodgson, a protégé of the Duke of Cumberland, was appointed governor of Fort George and Fort Augustus in 1765; became colonel of the 4th King's Own foot in 1768; was promoted general in 1778; was in succession colonel of the 4th Irish horse and the 11th dragoons; and was created field marshal in 1796. He married Catherine Howard (1734–1798), the sister of Field Marshal Sir George Howard, in 1756. Both the General and his wife died in 1798, survived only by John Hodgson (1757–1846), one of three sons and two daughters (ODNB). Although also an army officer, the commission is not to this John Hodgson, but another relative not identified. The Hodgsons occupied 5 Old Burlington Street from 1766-1798. The connection of the property with Egerton may be through Col Hon William Egerton who lived there 1723-1732.
 

HORNECK, William (1685-1746), military engineer. Autograph letter signed to the Board of Ordnance, 4to, 2 sides plus recipients and endorsement on reverse of integral blank, Portsmouth, 27 July 1733, enclosing a draft design (not present) "to build the new Shed and forges ordered in this years Estimate", pressing the Board for a speedy answer as bricklayers are already on the site. "As my utmost endeavour is to have the King's works done in the handsomest manner (with hopes thereby to gett your Esteem) I have taken some pains to give this a little appearance, which, as it is all brickwork will scarce cost £20 - - in the whole, more than the shabbiest thing wee could sett up ..................... I believe the works will answer the promises I made you, and that by the 31st wee shall be able to lay the foundation of this last Curtain ......". Paper browned, but written in a clear bold script, with a couple of invisible repairs to the inside fold.

£120

William Horneck was the son of the Church of England clergyman Anthony Horneck (1641-1697). He learned military science while serving under Marlborough, and with the rank of Captain in the Corps of Engineers went on to undertake extensive military works in Britain and abroad (including Newfoundland and Minorca). He was buried alongside his parents in Westminster Abbey. William's son Kane William Horneck (1726-1752) was also a military engineer, whose daughter Catherine married the famous caricaturist Henry William Bunbury.

JACOB, Eustace Wilberforce (1835-1871). Autograph letter signed to his brother Augustus, 2 close-written sides, 8vo, Crawley Rectory, Feb 3rd 1857, hoping he has received his last letter at Malta; saying he has been made a 3rd Ensign and is hoping for a Lieutenancy, with thoughts on another position - "On my way here from Cork I stopped two nights in London. The Archbishop offered me a Clerkship in the British Museum, and I called in on Mr Panizzi there who is Chief Librarian to make enquiries about the post, which I have since declared as being in many ways worse than the Army because though the pay began at £130 it never got beyond £200 a year with no retiring pension....", plus other news on social matters.

£30

Eustace Wilberforce Jacob was one of ten children of Philip Jacob (c.1804-1884) , Rector of Crawley and sometime Archdeacon of Winchester, and Anna Sophia (née Noel). Eustace remained in the army attaining the rank in 1861 of Captain in the 99th (Lanarkshire) Regiment, but maintained throughout his short life an interest in history, literature and anthropology, submitting frequent articles to Notes & Queries. He also edited a book of short stories entitled Something New; or Tales for the Times published in 1863.

BRITISH RESPONSE TO THE SPANISH INVASION OF PORTUGAL 1762

LAMBART, Hamilton, army officer. Warrant, signed Ham.Lambart, folio (folded), 25^th April 1762, with docket on reverse. For the payment of forces at Belleisle, and communicating that Lambart is to take command of the Island of Belleisle upon the departure of Major General John Craufurd for Lisbon.  "Whereas His Majesty having judged it expedient for His Service to employ in Portugal His Excellency Major General John Craufurd, Governor of the Island of Belleisle, and Commander in Chief of the forces therein, and to direct him to repair forthwith to Lisbon, And His Majesty having signified to me ....... That ..... I should take upon me, the Command of the Island of Belleisle as soon as General Craufurd shall sail from it”. Below, detailing payments for the 3^rd Regiment of Foot commanded by Lt Gen. G.Howard; the 67^th Regiment of Foot commanded by Col. H.Lambart; the 75^th Regiment of Foot commanded by Col. M.Frederick; and the 85^th Regiment of Foot commanded by Col. Jn Craufurd. Central fold and two corners repaired with archival tape. PHOTO

£175

During the Seven Years War, the Island of Belleisle was regarded by the British as a useful base from which to make raids on the French, and to re-supply the fleet. A large force was sent in 1761 to capture the island  from the French, but being found very heavily fortified, it took several attempts to secure it. In April 1762 under the pretext that Portugal was allied with Britain, Spain invaded Portugal. The British quickly responded by moving troops to Portugal, as this document testifies. Hostilities were ended in 1763 under the Treaty of Paris, which involved a complex series of land exchanges between the warring parties. See also Seven Years War item below.

LoNSDALE, James Lowther, earl of (1736–1802), politician and landowner. Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent [Henry Dundas],  2 sides plus integral blank with docket, folio, February 16th 1793, thanking him for his letter, but expressing frustration at not having received a positive answer, which prevents him "from making the necessary Returns", and pursuing his request "Notwithstanding Lord Amhurst's unjustifiable conduct towards me in the last War, of which you yourself were a Witness ............ I would .... talk to him upon the subject of the letter I troubled you with, could I think it of any avail ..............  as my Commission as Brigadr. General was acknowledged at the War Office ...... during the German War, & also in the American War, ...... thro' the Secretary of States Office, signed by Mr. Pitt ........  I am led to suppose that the Secretary of State is the person I am to apply to upon the present occasion", and in closing  "I shall be much obliged to you if you will let me have an answer as soon as possible, for I desirous of shewing myself forward in His Majesty's Service". Ex collection Sir Thomas Phillips. Three of the four margins grubby.

£125

Lonsdale inherited vast estates, especially in Cumberland and Westmorland, and throughout his life lavished money on elections, in an attempt to exercise political control. Always seeking preferment, he hounded the government for a peerage (eventually granted by William Pitt in 1784), but was refused a dukedom in 1792.

From internal evidence, Lonsdale's letter is directed to the Secretary of State, Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville (1742–1811), a longstanding ally of Pitt. The letter is written a fortnight after France declared war upon Britain (on 1^st February,1793), and although Lord Amherst had been brought out of retirement at the end of January as General in command the army in Great Britain, Lonsdale clearly saw little point in pressing the matter with him. Application to the Secretary of State had, on the other hand, evidently been successful in obtaining a military position in the past. A year later, on 14^th March 1794, Lonsdale was appointed colonel in the army during service.

Disliked by many, critics such as Horace Walpole, considered Lonsdale to be ‘equally unamiable in public and private’, while at the stronger end of the scale, the Rev.Alexander Carlyle believed him to be ‘more detested than any man alive as a shameless political sharper, a domestic bashaw, and an intolerant tyrant over his tenants and dependents’.

MAXWELL, Colonel Jn. Autograph letter signed to Sir George Yonge, 2 sides, 4to, with endorsement on integral blank, Ply[mouth] Citadel, 19^th Octr. 1789, expressing his mortification and disappointment in regard to the contents of an enclosed copy letter (not present) from Yonge to Lord George Lennox, “I shall beg leave if possible to obviate the objection, by ---- that I never qited the Service, but on considerations of the slender Allowance I was to have for doing the Duty of First Major During the Life of the Late Incumbent (which was almost nine years) I was allowd to Dispose of my Ensigncy Only, Being then a Lieut. in the 3d Reg. or Old Buffs, both of which Commissions I had Purchasd, & shoud have remaind in this Line of Service, had my health admitted of in being then a young man, & had many good friends to Purchase forward, but having lost my health by having undergone many hardships in the Different Expeditions on the French Coast, all of which I was in, & afterwards was sent to Portugal the War before the last, rendered me incapable of undergoing the necessary Fatigue of the Service & was this Occation by the advice of my Phisitian to give it up for this place which has lost me Every Kind of Prefirment”, and more in the same vein. The endorsement overleaf includes a note “Lord G.Lenox is perfectly satisfied”.

Sir George Yonge (1732–1812) was Secretary of War in the period 1782-1794. Lord George Lennox (1737–1805) had a long military career, who later in life was appointed constable of the Tower of London in 1783; he was sworn of the privy council in 1784, and was promoted full general in 1793.ODNB

A FINE LETTER FROM LORD NAPIER

NAPIER, Francis, eighth Lord Napier of Merchistoun (1758–1823), army officer. Autograph letter signed to John Hunter W.S., Queen Street, Edinburgh, close-written 2 1/2 sides, 4to, Liverpool 4th July 1794, with integral address panel bearing the Liverpool horseshoe stamp, Edinburgh arrival Bishop mark (JY/7) and Napier's seal in red wax (which has removed a piece of paper from the opposite blank edge). He writes sympathising with Hunter's accident, and on legal matters expresses his determination that Johnny Buchan "may be forced to come to a Settlement as soon as possible ........ neither of us being immortal". He complains of the very hot weather "It has forced me to lay aside the flannel waistcoat I have worn for some years next my skin and for all that I cannot keep myself cool. Besides, my complexion is burnt as brown as a berry, which prevents my making conquests amongst the misses, which you will allow must be very mortifying to a person of my youth & friskiness", and on public affairs "I have received many invitations to dine with the principle people here. They all seem very loyal subjects, as are the common people to a man. God save the King, is echoed by men, women & children, in every corner of the streets. I trust, our friends in Edinr. are beginning to behave better. The report of the secret Committee gives but a miserable account of Scottish Loyalty. The accounts from the Continent are seriously alarming, and I fear very much for the safety of the Duke of York & his army. How very providentially Lord Howe’s Victory was timed, will now appear more evident, since the Land Operations of the allies are in so bad a way. Had that action not taken place, the friends of anarchy in this country would have had nothing to suppress the joy they feel for the disaster of Prince Cobourg. For my own part, I think this business must put an end to the operations of the allies, and lead to a Peace, if the French chuse to consent to it, but – that there may be a doubt, while they have any plunder to expect".

£300

Napier served in Canada under General Burgoyne, and fought in the American War of Independence, and was one of those who surrendered at Saratoga on 16 October 1777. In 1793 he was appointed lord-colonel of the Hopetoun fencibles, a position he held until the regiment was disbanded in 1799. In 1796, and again in 1802 and 1807, he was chosen as a representative peer. He married Maria Margaret Clavering in 1784, the daughter of Lieutenant-General Sir John Clavering and Lady Diana West.(ODNB).

At the time of writing, one year into the war with France, Lord Howe had just defeated the French fleet on the ‘glorious first of June’, which was a considerable tactical and psychological victory. On land, the duke of York was in command of British troops assisting the Austrian army under the prince of Coburg, but in May 1794 the French defeated the British army at Tournai, and the duke was nearly taken prisoner. Coburg suffered his own disaster when his army was defeated by the French at Fleurus on 26 June. The British army steadily fell back, in spite of the arrival in July of ten thousand fresh troops under the earl of Moira, and the duke was driven out of Belgium (ODNB).  

Needham, Francis Jack, first earl of Kilmorey (1748–1832), army officer and politician. Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent, 1 side, docketed on the reverse, 4to, Grosvenor Sq., March 24th 1815, seeking help to get his son and his family back safely to England. "I am in the greatest distress to get my son Capn. Needham with his wife and child and family (servants about 3. or four) from Boulogne: least he should be detained in France (his brother is with him): will you have the goodness to say if you can oblige me. I will call on Ld. Chichester this day."

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Needham had seen action in America, Flanders, France and Ireland, and moved into politics in the early 19th century. His eldest son Francis Jack Needham was appointed Captain Commandant of the Newry Yeoman Infantry in 1813, and married Jane Gun-Cunningham in 1814. Napoleon reached Paris on March 19^th 1815, with an eye upon attacking the Coalition forces south of Brussels before reinforcements could arrive. Needham was clearly anxious to get his two sons, family and servants back to England from France, before events overtook them.

 

PARRY, Sir (William) Edward (1790–1855), naval officer and Arctic explorer. Autograph letter signed to Lady Palgrave, 8vo, 2 sides, Haslar Hospl., Gosport, 26th May 1848, expressing pleasure that her "poor old Protégée Harriett Edwards, has at length succeeded. It is one of many piteous cases; and we rejoice to find that the Governesses' Institution, and their cause generally, are becoming popular ............. Catherine sends you her very best love. We have had a gay week here, with the Queen &c &c; and I am just about to appear at the head of my Battalion, as Colonel-Commandant, to form a Guard of Honor for Her Majesty en route to London".

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Parry's correspondent was Lady Elizabeth Palgrave (1799-1852), wife of the archivist and historian Sir Francis Palgrave (1788–1861). The Governesses' Benevolent Institution was established 1843, and incorporated in 1848, for affording temporary assistance to governesses in distress.

Parry was captain-superintendent of Haslar Royal Naval Hospital, Hampshire, from 1846 to 1852, when he was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral. At this time he was much involved, as a member of the Arctic council, in planning the search for Sir John Franklin and his expedition, about whom no word had been heard by 1847 (ODNB).

Parry's first wife died in 1839, and in 1841 he married Catharine Edwards (1808–1896), daughter of the Revd Robert Hankinson.

PITT, Lt. General William Augustus (c.1728–1809), army officer. Autograph letter signed to 'My Dear Lord' [Sydney] 2 sides plus integral blank with endorsement on the reverse, 4to, 'Private', Highfield Sepr. 27. 1788, responding to his correspondent's letter of the day before respecting  "the propriety of permitting Lieut. Hope to purchase a Troop in the 17^th L. Dragoons" he encloses a letter (not present) saying "I am not without my fears, that I may have gone further into the circumstances of the Irish Cavalry, in the enclosed letter, than might be thought right, or that I was called upon to give, in a simple answer to your Lordships question – should that be the case, for Gods sake suppress it, let me know it, and I will send you a more simple one; but the letter contains my real sentiments of the Irish Cavalry; and I must own I was not sorry to have so fair an opportunity of making them known to The King." He goes on to mention French Troops having "made a very short campaign" and extends his wife's compliments to 'Your Lordship and Lady Sydney'.

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William Pitt served in the Seven Years' War, distinguished himself in several actions, and was wounded and taken prisoner at Campen. He served as MP for Wareham, Dorset, from 1754 to 1761. Pitt became colonel in 1762 and major-general in 1770, and he was promoted to be colonel of the 12th dragoons in October 1770; five years later he was transferred to the 3rd Irish horse. He became lieutenant-general in 1777 and general in 1793, was from 1784 to 1791 commander of the forces in Ireland (ODNB).

His correspondent was the politician Thomas Townshend first Viscount Sydney (1733–1800), who had become minister in the Home Office in 1782, remaining in office until 1789. He supported the establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay; following which the settlement was named Sydney in honour of him in 1788.

PRIZES OF WAR. Autograph letter signed  L Brock Laferre, to Captain Swinburn of the Hector, 4to, 1 side plus integral blank addressed "Cap. Swinburn. Hector", 8th August 1807, regarding taking enemy ships: "Having omitted to give you any instruction respecting prizes – we think it proper to say that a Northern war, appears to us inevitable – and in less than a fortnight, Commissions will probably be issued against the Danes etc. You will recollect that all ships from an Enemy’s colony not bound to England, are already ordered to be detained. Should you meet any Danish vessel from the Isle of France or Batavia it will be worth while to send her in". Thin paper, browned, and with holes (in part caused by acidic reaction of the ink). PHOTO

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In 1807 the British government decided to capture the Danish fleet to avoid it ending up in the hands of Napoleon. The British attacked Copenhagen on 16th August, and the city and fleet were surrendered on 7th September. The writer and correspondent have not been identified on initial research. The only British naval vessel named Hector afloat in 1807, was the 74 gun third-rate launched in 1774, which was repaired in Plymouth in 1805, but from that date is said to have been a receiving ship until conversion to a prison ship in 1808.

PULTENEY, Sir James Murray-, seventh baronet (c.1755–1811), army officer. Letter signed, to the Quarter Master General, 1 side, folio, War Office, 7th June 1800, relating to the abolition of entrenching tool carts and horses attached to the Regiments of Infantry, and agreeing on how the proceeds for their sale was to be dealt with. Right edge browned with small losses. Comes with a contemporary cut down engraving of Pultney by Orme. PHOTO

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Murray assumed the surname and arms of Pulteney on his marriage, in 1794 to Henrietta Laura Pulteney (1766–1808). Promoted lieutenant-general 1799, he participated in the ill-fated expedition to the Helder in the Netherlands and commanded the first wave of troops which landed in the face of the enemy on 27 August 1799. He served as a divisional commander during the campaign and returned home after supervising the provisions of the peace treaty at its close. In August 1800 he commanded an expedition to attack Spanish naval assets at Ferrol and Vigo, but finding the defences too strong and the garrison too large, he withdrew the troops from the expedition, and proceeded to Gibraltar, arriving as second-in-command to General Sir Ralph Abercromby in the Mediterranean.

STAVELEY, Sir Charles William Dunbar (1817–1896), army officer. Autograph letter signed to “My Dear Kerr”, 6 sides, 8vo, Government House, Devonport, 26^th July 1877, congratulating his correspondent upon a command, with many suggestions on how he should procure what he might need, and conduct himself. “As regards how to eat drink & sleep - Try and get a good cook from some Regt. and mess together with your 2 A.D.C.s --- AAG & QMG and let your gallopers look out for themselves ….It will be a great encomium to your AAG & QMG not to have to think about their messing - I managed to appropriate the Magistrates time as mess time ……..You’ll require a table with two leaves with hole for pole to go through – also a lamp from Miller & Co near Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly – for a bed, get some portable folding iron one and all your bedding a waterproof sheet …… I had two horses last time & felt that I wanted another – Two soldier servants would be required to look after three or even two……. A field officers marquee & picketing materials …… only one body servant for yourself, besides the cook for the mess ….. no Red coat required for Staff ..” . Slightly grubby.

Staveley served widely in the army, including active service in the Crimea, China, and Abyssinia. From 1874 to 1878, he was commander-in-chief at Bombay, with the local rank of lieutenant-general, which became his substantive rank on 29 April 1875. On 1 October 1877 he became general. He was given the colonelcy of the 36th foot on 2 February 1876. ODNB

 

[TORRES, Rodrigo de (1687-1755), Spanish naval commander] Contemporary copy letter, in Spanish, from Francisco de Varas y Valdes, to Don Rodrigo de Torres, folio, 1 side, folio, Cadiz, 5th February 1741, docketed "No. 22  Copy of a letter from the Intend at Cadiz to Dn. Rodrigo de Torres. No.4", reporting on the departure of the Bahia, supervised by the frigate don Lucas Garcia, and on the cargo of  the Union, a Dutch vessel, under Captain Cornelie Jonck, which has been directed to the Intendant Don Andres Jiminez. PHOTO

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In 1741 the Spanish fleet was being blockaded at Cadiz by Admiral Nicholas Haddock, when a French squadron arrived and threatened to attack if the British opened fire on the Spanish. Haddock was forced to leave, and war between England and France was avoided until 1744. This document appears to be the copy of an intercepted letter from Varas y Valdés, intendant at Cadiz, to the Rodrigo de Torres (famous for his command of treasure fleets).

WORONZOW, Count Simon (1744-1832), Russian diplomat. Autograph letter signed to ‘My Lord’[George John, 2nd Earl Spencer, First Lord of the Admiralty], 2 sides 4to, with integral blank, Richmond, 10^th July 1798, in French, with translation into English written in pencil on the integral inside blank, thanking him for his letter informing him of the promotion of Lieutenant Michael Halliday as commander of the Woolwich, who Woronzow has recommended in profuse terms. He reports (translated) that ‘old Admiral Makazoff wrote me on the 21^st of last month from Copenhagen, that he arrived there 2 days before, that he is occupied in providing himself with water, that the pilots have not arrived, but that if they do not arrive in 2 days, he will not wait for them and will leave without them, directing his course to the Nore’.

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Count Woronzow resided in Britain from 1785 until his death in 1832, occupying the position of Russian ambassador to Great Britain between1785-1806. He was elevated to the rank of ambassador extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary in 1796, at an important time when Britain’s Navy was heavily involved in the French Revolution. Woronzow played an important diplomatic role in supporting the British Navy with assistance from the Imperial Russian Navy, a role which was rekindled following Nelson’s action at the Battle of the Nile in August 1798 (a few weeks after this letter was written). The French defeat opened the door to the formation of a Second Coalition in Europe, which Russia promptly signed up to, followed by England in 1799. Vice-Admiral Mikhail Makarov (Makazoff) had operated in conjunction with the British in the North Sea during the First Coalition (1793-1797).

 Michael Halliday (1757-1829) was born in St Petersburg where his father practiced as a physician. He entered the Royal Navy in 1782, and later obtained a Lieutenancy on a Russian first-rate. Upon the outbreak of war with the French he returned to service in the Royal Navy, saw action at sea, and as this letter testifies was promoted as Commander of the Woolwich in 1798, a 44 gun fifth rate, armed en flûte.