[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
 

H.M.S. MEGAERA : INCIDENT AT SEA 1861

[ALINGTON, Arthur Hildebrand (1839 –1925), Naval officer] Citation for gallantry in saving a man’s life at sea for Arthur Hildebrand Alington, consisting of four documents and an envelope on blue paper (with pale spotting) as follows:

1. Autograph citation signed by Commander S.H.Henderson on 3 sides folio, headed “An instance of gallantry combined with good judgment”, H.M.S. Megaera at sea Bay of Biscay, May 9^th 1861, setting out in detail the action of Lieutenant A.H.Alngton in saving the life of Private James Brown, Royal Engineers, “a lunatic”, who threw himself into the sea off Lisbon on the 5^th May. At the foot of the document are the autograph signatures of the witnesses Colonel A.A.Shuttleworth, Royal Artillary;  Lieutenant C.Delors Broughton, H M S Megaera; Chas Moore, Chaplain to the Forces; David Moore, Master of HMS Megaera; Captain W.--?-- B--?--, RN; and F. H. Blaxall, Surgeon HMS Megaera.
2. A close written manuscript copy of the above citation on 2 sides, folio.
3. Letter signed by Rear Admiral and Senior Officer ---?---  to Commander S.H.Henderson on 1 side folio, Royal Adelaide in the Hamoaze, 15^th May 1861, acknowledging receipt of his report on the gallant conduct of Lieutenant A.H.Alington, and conveying the satisfaction of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty at his conduct saying that they have forwarded the case for the consideration of the Royal Humane Society.
4. Letter signed by  W.G. ---?---  to Lieutenant Alington RN on 1 side folio, Admiralty, 20^th May 1861, in reference to his gallant attempt to save the life of John Brown reporting that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty “have received a letter from His Royal Highness the General Commanding in Chief expressing his approbation of the daring, and cool judgement which you displayed on the occasion”.
5. An envelope with a broken seal, bearing in faded ink manuscript “Concerning Humane Medal to accompany certificate”.

Précis of the citation (transcript of the full text will be supplied) :-
[On board HMS Megaera off Lisbon] Sunday Afternoon May 5^th 1861 ….. James Brown a Private Royal Engineers, who had been sent on board at Gibraltar a “Lunatic” for a passage to England, was walking to and fro on the Upper Deck “under charge” when suddenly he eluded his keeper and jumped overboard …….. Lieutenant Arthur Alington, one of the Lieutenants of the Megaera …... hearing the cry of a “Man Overboard” ran for one of the Hand Life Buoys and watching his opportunity as the man floated aft, he threw it as near him as possible and it fell within 6 yards ……observing that he was apparently bewildered (which was no great wonder considering that James Brown is judged to be a hopeless lunatic) and judging that the man would be drowned through fright before assistance by a boat could reach him ……threw off his coat and jumped overboard…… he swam towards the man but observing his wild looks on getting near him and seeing his Red Coat (James Brown is one of the few “Red” Soldiers on board, the greater part of the Megaera’s freight belonging to the Royal Artillery) he came to the conclusion that his friend was the Madman so he swam to the Life Buoy and struck out with it towards the man, who was then however showing evident signs of soon going down ….. At this moment the boat we had lowered reached the spot and passing between the two people in the water, the men caught hold of James Brown on the one side of the boat and of Lieutenant Alington on the other side and so both were rescued ….. The unfortunate lunatic James Brown had to be placed in a warm bath when brought on board and otherwise carefully attended;  he is now however as well as before his escapade. He has tried to commit suicide before this, but attempting to cut his throat …. PHOTO

SOLD

Arthur Hildebrand Alington was born in Caistor, Lincolnshire in 1839, the son of George Marmaduke Alington of Swinhope House and Mary Bancroft Lister. He entered the navy in 1852 and was to see service all over the world beginning with the Crimean war of 1854-55. He was promoted to the rank of Commander in 1870, and Captain in 1879. On 1 May, 1895, Alington hoisted his flag in Empress of India at Devonport as Second-in-Command of the Channel Squadron. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request in 1899, and was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List in 1901 and Admiral in 1904.

He married Charlotte Mary Moore (1842-1913) daughter of Rev. Charles Moore of Garlenick, Cornwall in 1870, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

HMS Megaera was an iron screw frigate built by William Fairbairn's Millwall Shipyard and launched in 1849, but was in 1852 converted for use as a troopship. Beset with problems, she was beached in an unseaworthy state at St Paul Island on a voyage to Australia in 1871, where her crew survived for nearly three months before being rescued. A copy of the book "The Story and Scandal of HMS Megaera" by R.Haywood (1978) is available with these documents if required.

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.

COMMANDER UNDER MARLBOROUGH 1702-1704

CUTTS, John, Baron Cutts of Gowran (1660/61–1707), army officer and politician. Autograph letter signed, to an unnamed correspondent [but by association with other evidence to Mr Watkins], Hague, February 18th 1703, 3 sides, small 4to, docketed on reverse, concerning packets which he has taken upon himself to open "....it fell out luckily that I opened Cardonel's packet for there was in it a letter from his Grace to me, one to Monsiuer Geldermalsen & one to General Scolos, the Danish Lieutenant General besides two to Grosslier, all of which I took care of" and assuring his correspondent "You may depend upon my Secrecy as well as Honour, where it is requisite; and I open no letters when I don't know the hand or when I do and think it private business. I think the satire they send you very unkind to some of our friends......". He goes on to mention Col.Wheeler from whom he has heard nothing "by which I imagine he has heard of your journey & is returned to Breda. I would have you wait his coming now you are there .......... 'tis necessary I name a new President in case Wheeler does not return soon enough. A new warrant shall be sent to you upon your first notice", and mentions receipt of a letter from Brigadier Woods.

£325

Upon Queen Anne’s accession in 1702, Cutts became a major-general and was placed in command of English troops serving in the Dutch republic. Promoted lieutenant-general, he remained in command of the English troops when Marlborough went home in the winter of 1702–3. In February 1703 he was given credentials to negotiate a cartel with the French for the exchange of prisoners, and subsequently joined Marlborough’s campaign of 1703 (Marlborough returned to the Hague on 4 March 1703).

In preparing for the Blenheim campaign in May 1704, Marlborough warned Godolphin not to let Cutts know that he intended to march beyond the Mosel, ‘for he is not capable of keeping a secrit’. Cutts and several other officers carrying money for the army joined Marlborough at Burgheim in July and in August the allied army, commanded by Prince Eugene and Marlborough, marched westwards to meet the French. Marlborough created an extra column on of twenty battalions and fifteen squadrons under Cutts, commanding the army's southern flank facing the village of Blenheim. Cutts made repeated assaults on the village, meeting stiff resistance from the French. In the final stages of the battle Cutts was joined by the earl of Orkney and General Charles Churchill in encircling the village and preventing the 10,000 French troops from breaking out of Blenheim, eventually forcing them to surrender. (ODNB).

The recipient of Cutts' letter was evidently Henry Watkins, secretary to the Duke of Marlborough, and a War Office colleague of Cardonnel. Adam de Cardonnel (1663–1719) was chief clerk in the War Office, one time secretary to Marlborough, who became an important administrator and figure during the early years of the War of Spanish Succession. 'Monsiuer Geldermalsen' referred to in the letter is Adriaan van Borsele van der Hooge, Lord of Geldermalsen (1658-1728), a protégé of William III who became member of the Council of the States in 1692. From 1693 till 1718 Geldermalsen was representative of the States General in the field, including campaigns under Marlborough.

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.

 

LAST PERSON IMPEACHED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

DUNDAS, Henry, first Viscount Melville (1742–1811), politician. Letter signed to Chas. W. Dilke, Navy Pay Office, 22nd May 1797, 3 sides folio, heavily criticizing Dilke for not attending properly to matters in the Pay Office "I find my Paymaster has written repeatedly to you respecting the delay in dispatching the Business sent to you from the Inspectors Branch of my Office. I beg to acquaint you that I have requested the Navy Board to write upon this subject to Commissioner Saxton and to recommend that no Claim shall be solved at any time or paid to any Agent until all Claims are finished which you may then have in your hands from the Inspectors Branch ............... I now inform you of the necessity of exerting your Authority over the junior Clerks whom you shall appoint to make out the Remittance Bills, as I shall not admit any excuse whatever on your part - you may remove any of them from their Situation if you find it necessary ................... I shall hold you responsible to me for the due execution of this particular Business and will not allow the necessity of retaining you in your present Situation if the Claims from the Inspectors Branch shall not be duly cleared off and dispatched previous to any payment being made to any Agent or Officers or others......". Docketed on the reverse. Top (blank) areas of paper soiled with small tears.

£350

Dundas served as treasurer of the Admiralty between 1782-1800, and was also Secretary of State for War. The Paymaster referred to was Alexander Trotter, who Dundas had appointed in 1785, and the recipient of this letter was Charles Wentworth Dilke (1742/3–1826) a chief clerk in the paymaster branch of the Admiralty (and a literary critic).

In 1802 a commission of inquiry into the Navy's finances was appointed, following which suspicion arose as to the financial management of the Admiralty during Dundas's term as treasurer. The commission reported its findings in 1805, resulting in 1806 in the impeachment of Dundas, now Viscount Melville, for the misappropriation of public money. It found out in particular that Melville had not, as required, kept at the Bank of England official disbursements allocated to him though not yet spent. Since he refused to co-operate in showing where else they had gone, the focus of the investigation switched to his subordinate, Alexander Trotter, paymaster of the navy. Trotter eventually admitted to having drawn money from the bank and laid it out in investments of his own, a practice by no means uncommon among public servants at the time, if in this case expressly prohibited by law. Though it ended in an acquittal for Melville, and nothing more than formal negligence lay against him, he never again held office. This was the last impeachment trial ever held in the House of Lords. (ODNB)

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.

APPOINTMENT AS GOVERNOR OF DOMINICA

HASTINGS, Hans Francis, twelfth earl of Huntingdon (1779–1828), naval officer. Autograph letter signed Huntingdon to an unnamed correspondent, His Majs Ship Action, Spithead, Dec 10 1821, 3 sides 8vo, docketed on reverse, excusing himself for not having settled a debt of £50, "Cumulative Expenses & disappointments prevented me from being as good as my word" and reporting "I am now ordered home from the Mediterranean, Lord Bathurst having informed me that I am appointed Governor of Dominica". Small cuts to paper, not adversely affecting text.

SOLD

Hastings’ career in the navy began in 1793, and he was to see action against the French at Cancale Bay and Quiberon Bay. In 1819 he  took up his seat in the House of Lords as the twelfth earl of Huntingdon, having proven his right to the earldom. On 7 March 1821 Huntingdon obtained the rank of commander and the command of the Chanticleer. While cruising in the Mediterranean in 1821 he was appointed governor of Dominica, in the West Indies, and took the oaths of office on 28 March 1822. In 1824, because of a misunderstanding with the other authorities on the island, he resigned and returned home. He was promoted post captain on 29 May 1824, and on 14 August was appointed to command the Valorous (ODNB).

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.

 

NOEL, Sir Gerard Henry Uctred G.C.B., K.C.M.G. (1845-1918), admiral RN. Autograph manuscript journal and miscellaneous notes entitled on the free endpaper“Journal ‘of the produce of science & art witnessed & observed by G: H: Noel”, comprising 50 sides of manuscript entries under subject headings (many blank pages) in a full leather binding (8 x 9 inches) with lock and key. Occasional pencil notes and sketches are inserted on loose scraps of paper. The main entry headings cover the following:

Manufactories: describing a visit in March 1871 to the Woolwich Arsenal, including an eye-witness description of “the building of a gun from beginning to end”.

Books & their authors: 13 sides with lists of titles, authors and date read (1865-1892), with later books read having a grading (F, G and VG).

Pictures: 16 sides describing pictures seen on trips at home and abroad in various picture galleries, including Bond Street, London; the Dulwich Gallery; the Doré Gallery; the National Gallery, the Royal Academy, Bethnal Green Museum, Windsor Castle; pictures in Glasgow and Edinburgh galleries; pictures and frescoes while in Lisbon, Cadiz, Granada and a long list in Seville; in Italy at Milan, Venice, Bologna, and upon his return pictures in Antwerp.

Music: 7 sides of lists of composers of opera and music (with dates, titles and styles) and critical descriptions with dates of visits to the opera in Malta, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Naples, in London at Drury Lane, Covent Garden, Albert Hall, at Plymouth, the Norwich Festival.

Sights worth seeing: 6 sides of notes of places visited in chronological order, the earliest entry to Killarney (1857), followed by many places in Britain and Europe, as well as places in other countries, including Madeira, Tenerife, Bermuda, Halifax, Jamaica, Havana, Panama, Japan, and Mauritius. The journal entries end in 1874.

Sports & Pastimes: short journal entries covering visits to the Derby, 1869; yacht racing at Cowes, 1869 (with printed Royal Yacht Squadron Regatta card 1878); and the Oxford-Cambridge boat race, 1871.

Binding scuffed, but the contents are in very good order. PHOTO

£200

Gerard Henry Uctred Noel was born in 1845 the son of Reverend Augustus William Noel (1816-1884) and Lucy Elizabeth Tonge. He entered the Royal Navy in 1859, serving as a midshipman in the Mediterranean and West Indies from 1859 to 1865. Promoted to lieutenant in 1866 he served on the China Station, and was appointed Gunnery Lieutenant serving in Channel Squadron in 1871. He served on the West Coast of Africa in 1873, and the following year was promoted to commander on the Detached Squadron, after which he served in the Royal Yacht, Victoria and Albert, and was promoted to captain in 1881. After several subsequent commissions he was appointed a junior Sea Lord in 1893 and was promoted to rear-admiral in 1896. In 1898 he was appointed second-in-command, Mediterranean, and was made Superintendent of Naval Reserves and commanded the Home Fleet from 1900 to 1903. He was promoted to vice-admiral in 1901 and was Commander-in-Chief, China, 1904 to 1906, and at the Nore from 1907 to 1908. He was promoted to admiral in 1905 and Admiral of the Fleet in 1908, retiring in 1915. (Details from National Maritime Museum).

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".

£100

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.

PECHELL, Sir Samuel John Brooke, third baronet (1785–1849), naval officer and politician. Autograph letter signed John Brooke Pechell to an unnamed correspondent on Navy Board, 8vo mourning paper, on 2 sides plus integral blank, 18 December 1826, address indistinct, informing his correspondent that he has "been obliged to take the surname of Brooke in addition to Pechell and that the sign manual granted to my Father authorises me to do so" and wishing to know if his letter is sufficient for the purposes of the Navy Board and notice in the Navy List. Docketed in another hand 'All done forwd Dec 20'.

£50

Samuel John Brooke Pechell was born on 1 September 1785 in Ireland, the eldest son of Major-General Sir Thomas Brooke Pechell, second baronet, and his wife, Charlotte. After entering the navy in 1796 Pechell served 30 very active years at sea, returning home aboard HMS Sibylle in November 1826. His father had died that same year whereupon he succeeded to the baronetcy and took the additional surname of Brooke, in conformity with the will of his grandmother, the only daughter and heir of Thomas Brooke of Paglesham in Essex. He spent no further service at sea, but from 1830 to 1834, and again from 1839 to 1841, was a lord of the Admiralty. He was in parliament as member for Hallestone in 1830, and for Windsor in 1833. He attained the rank of rear-admiral in 1846, and died in 1849.

Pechell was one of the few officers of his time to recognize the immense importance of speed and precision in the aiming and firing of guns. Following the plan of Captain Philip Broke in the Shannon, he carried out, when in command of the San Domingo, systematic exercise and target practice, by which he obtained results then considered remarkable. In the Sybille he followed a similar method, again with results far superior to anything before known. A royal favourite and a wealthy man, Pechell was one of the architects of the professional navy of the later nineteenth century. (ODNB)

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'.

£75

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

£50

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.

CONNECTIONS WITH ADAM SMITH

SCOTT, William (died 1802?), naval captain. Manuscript receipt signed by Captain William Scott, 1 side (16 lines) on a half folio sheet (about 6.5 x 8 inches), Montrose 26th September 1786, with embossed Four Pence duty stamp, recording the receipt from "Colonel Robert Douglas of Strathendry & Lieut. Colonel William Ann Douglas of the third Regiment of Foot Guards, the sum of Ten Pounds Sterling, being one year's interest ............ of the principal sum of two hundred pounds .......". With a manuscript docket and ink 'Tenn Pence Quire' stamp on the reverse.

£50

Scott's debtors, Robert Douglas (1716-1803) and his son William Ann Douglas (1753-1803) are interesting by virtue of their family connection to the famous moral philosopher and political economist Adam Smith (1723-1790). Colonel Robert Douglas was Adam Smith's uncle, his sister Margaret (1694-1784) having married Smith's father in 1720. William Ann Douglas (1753-1803) was the eldest of five sons of Col. Robert Douglas and his wife Cecilia. His brother David Douglas (1769-1819) spent his later childhood in the home of Adam Smith, who left David his library in his will.

Captain William Scott RN of Montrose is possibly the Captain William Scott whose death is recorded on 29 April 1802 "late of Bombay" at Chessel's Court, Edinburgh . His son David Scott Esq was attached to the Bengal Civil Service, whose daughter Dorothea Helen Scott married William Piper Esq in 1864 in New South Wales, Australia.
 

THE LOSS OF HMS BOMBAY OFF MONTEVIDEO IN 1864

STANDBRIDGE, Samuel (c1805-1864), butcher in Royal Navy. Leather bound volume imprinted IN MEMORY OF S.S. containing 22 autograph letters from Samuel Standbridge and others brought together as a memorial following his death in explosion aboard HMS Bombay near Flores Island in the River Plate on 14 December 1864. All the letters are 8vo, in reasonably good condition (those from Standbridge sent from HMS Bombay rather grubby in part, and one is not bound in to the volume. The letters are briefly as follows:

1. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father March 5 1864, HMS Bombay, Chatham, 4 sides, reporting his safe arrival; his being entered head butcher; speculating on when they will sail; and with details of the ship and her armaments.

2. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father, no date, 2 sides, providing his address on the Bombay at Chatham; uncertain of when he will sail; disappointed he has not had a reply to his last letter "I think it is very unkind of you for I know nobody".

3. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father April 8 1864, HMS Bombay, Chatham, 4 sides, thanking him for his letter; a misunderstanding concerning the Master of Arms and conduct; uncertainty about leave in order to attend a confirmation and suggesting Rev Fanshaw writes to the Captain or the Admiral.

4. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father April 8 1864, HMS Bombay, Chatham, 4 sides, providing a list of clothes and articles required at his expense, which the Master of Arms advised would cost 8 or 9 pounds, asking his father to pay this sum which he will pay him back; "tell George that shoe making is better than butchering and the Victoria is getting ready at Portsmouth", plus other information on ships taking on tradesmen.

5. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father April 10 1864, HMS Bombay, Chatham, 4 sides, hoping he will send money as the Commanding Officer has told him to get his outfit as soon as possible as he does not like to see the men in private clothes; asking if he has spoken to Rev Fanshaw as he doesn't think he can get leave without him writing to the Commanding Officer.

6. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father April 15 1864, HMS Bombay, Chatham, 2 sides, thanking him for sending the Post Office order for £8, saying he will return the money and good recompense for it as soon as possible.

7. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his mother April 17 1864, HMS Bombay, Chatham, 2 sides, thanking her for her letters; and remembering him to various members of the family, servants and friends.

8. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father April 21 1864, HMS Bombay, 4 sides, thanking him for his letter saying that he can draw 1 pound a month from his wages at the General Post Office, Coventry, explaining the procedure, and informing him that his wages are £2 - 5 - 0 a month.

9. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father and mother May 1 1864, HMS Bombay, Sheerness, 4 sides, with embossed and printed prayer letter head, disappointed that he could not get leave as the ship was under sailing orders; "Being as it was my birth day I hope you all drank me and my father health as I did"; he heard that the Rev Fanshaw's letter was shown to the Captain and Chaplain; reporting that on Tuesday they tried the ship under steam reaching 10 1/2 miles an hour and "thinks we will sail more for she is only 400 horse power"; and saying that he will have his "likeness taken" if he gets any leave, or at any of the places they land.

10. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his mother May 8 1864, HMS Bombay, Plymouth, 4 sides, thanking her for her letter; believing that they sail on Tuesday or Wednesday for Madeira; reporting he was sea sick on the second day of sailing from Sheerness to Plymouth; praising the beauty of Plymouth; reporting the stock on board of 26 sheep, 1 mother cow, 6 dozen of poultry and more sheep to come; and saying he "had a letter from Charley and received his likeness"; plus a note at the end to his father saying it is not worth  returning his clothing home.

11. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father and mother May 24 1864, HMS Bombay, Madeira, 4 sides, describing Madeira as "the most beautiful sight that ever I did see. the houses are all white and the clouds cover the mountains some times. It is very warm and abundance of fruits of all sorts"; relating details of the voyage and saying "I have got a mate who has been to sea before so I am as happy as a King, and the Commander gives me great praise"; he says he will leave all his clothes to his father; and hoping they received the "likeness of the ship".

12. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father and mother July 8 1864, HMS Bombay, Rio de Janeiro, South America, 4 sides, reporting that the ship anchored at Rio de Janeiro on 28 June, "the harbour is nearly surrounded by Mountains and the Town stands among these. There is twenty thousand slaves in the Town there is very often a noise among them. They cannot make it out in the Town what this large ship came for but we shall let them know if the don't mind what they are about. There is ten more English ships in this station but our Admiral has got charge of them"; commenting on high prices "except cigars"; asking his father about drawing his money and  the harvest at home; and with details of life at sea and the ship's company.

13. ALS Samuel Standbridge to his father and mother Novr 28 1864, Montevideo, South America, 4 sides, thanking them for their letters; reporting that he is happy but has been in the sick bay in his hammock for the last week with a bad knee, and likely to remain there another week; asking them to let him know when he is out of debt; about taking lodgings ashore; and being sorry to hear that his bird was dead "but never mind I shall bring one back with me".

14. ALS Colin A. Campbell [to Samuel Standbridge senior] Portsea Feb 17, no year [1865], 2 sides, testimonial with regard to Samuel Standbridge junior who "always did his duty entirely to my satisfaction and was much respected in the ship; I regret much that he is amongst those who unfortunately perished when the Bombay was destroyed".

15. ALS  J.G. [Julia Grace] Des Voeux to Louise, Leamington, Feb 9, no year [1865], 4 sides, relaying news from her brother (a Colonel) saying he has met Admiral Denman who is to call upon Capt Colin Campbell for a Certificate of Standbridge's death, "I fear the parents will get nothing for the loss of his clothes etc", but "arrears of pay will be made good. Had he been married his widow would have received 12 months gratuity from Greenwich Hospital".

16. ALS [Admiral Lord] Byron to Mrs Des Voeux, Saturday, no year [1865], 1 side (with note on the reverse initialled JGDV), enclosing information she may require "for the poor woman [Mrs Standbridge?], I fear she will not get any compensation".

17. Copy manuscript letter to Lord Byron, signed in the name of Stilwell & Co, Arundell St., London, Feb 3 1865, 4 sides, confirming that Standbridge's mother will not receive compensation for the loss of his effects, and explaining the regulations, but confirming that she is entitled to arrears in her son's pay. Confirming also however that Lt Kelly will be entitled to claim the value of the loss of his effects amounting to £80, and explaining how the application needs to be made. He adds in closing "But perhaps it is not quite certain that he has really perished" and further "let us see what can be done for the poor Parents after the Court Martial has been held on the Surviving Officers & Crew....".

18. ALS  J.G. Des Voeux to Louise, Leamington, Sat 4, no year [1865], 4 sides, sympathising with her, her husband and family; sending a copy of the letter written to "my dear friend" Adml. Lord Byron [previous letter no.17] from "Mr Stilwell an Admiralty Agent" elaborating on its content, including "I would not encourage you to hope there is any chance of your poor Son's being saved - Capt Campbell led one to suppose in his despatch, that it was wholly impossible"; and asking if she will provide information from a list of questions she asks.

19. ALS  J.G. Des Voeux to Louise, Leamington, Thursday 2, no year [1865], 4 sides, opening "Your sad suspence is at an end - Your poor Son's name is amongst the list of those missing - the Capt says "I deeply regret to say that I believe 91 have perished", and going on to extend her condolences; reminding her that it was very much her son's wish to go to sea; and inviting her and her husband to "dine quietly here". In a footnote mentions Lady Phillimore's illness.

20. ALS Caroline to her father [Samuel Standbridge senior], no place, no date [1865], 3 sides, expressing her great sorrow in learning about the loss of her brother, "we have watched the papers daily ever since we heard of the unfortunate destruction of the vessel"; and asking if her mother can procure two Carte de Visites of him.

21. ALS John and Mary Cotterell to their father and mother [Standbridge], Johnson Hall, Feby 6, 1865, 3 sides, expressing their great sorrow in learning about the loss of their brother and passing on their condolences.

22. [Lose] ALS [Lady] C.Phillimore to Louise, 5 Arlington St. [London] Thursday Nov 28th, no year, 3 sides, enclosing a Post Office Order for five shillings; and various news, including mention of Mrs Richards who is preparing to return to India, and of Mrs Reed's problems. [see also item 19 regarding Lady Phillimore]

The bound collection of letters come with copies of census returns and other information. To see photos click on  PHOTO

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Samuel Standbridge was born in 1843 in Bubbenhall, Warwickshire, one of nine children of cordwainer Samuel Standbridge (c1805-1868) and Sarah Standbridge née Mann (1803-1859). Samuel Standbridge senior remarried in 1861, although there is an inconsistency between the name of 'Louise' in the letters and the GRO records (possibly a preferred middle name not supplied in the GRO record?). Samuel junior's sister Mary married John Cotterell in 1851.

HMS Bombay was an 84 gun second rate rate ship of line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1828. Stationed in Chatham she was commissioned on 22nd March 1864 for service on the South East Coast of America, commanded by Captain Colin A. Campbell. Following her arrival at Montevideo, she was on the 14th December 1865 under sail engaging in target practice near Flores Island in the River Plate when a fire broke out, which quickly took hold and spread through the ship. Some 94 lives were lost, including that of Samuel Standbridge, from a crew of 619 men. The court martial held in February 1865 concluded:

That after a five days' investigation the Court was of opinion that no evidence had been given by which the origin of the fire could be traced, and that Captain Campbell, the other officers, and the crew of Her Majesty's late ship Bombay were not to blame. The Court were also of opinion that after the fire was discovered all possible efforts were made to subdue it, but they proved unavailing in consequence of the extremely complete state of the ventilation of the ship causing the fire to gain ground with extraordinary rapidity; that the ship was not abandoned until all hopes of saving her were at an end, and the officers and crew were forced overboard by the flames; that the steadiness and discipline displayed and maintained under the very trying circumstances were extremely creditable to the captain, officers, and ship's company, and that the saving of such a large number of the ship's company was mainly due to the foresight with which the preparations were made and the promptitude with which the boats were hoisted out, and the Court therefore acquitted Captain Campbell, his officers, and ship's company of all blame accordingly.

(For the full transcript of the court martial see http://www.pdavis.nl/Bombay.php)

Julia Grace Des Voeux (1798-1872) was the sister of  Lady Charlotte Anne Phillimore (1813-1892), being the children of John Denison (formerly Wilkinson) and Charlotte Estwick.

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.