Sale 22JK02 | Lot 173

[LEEWARD ISLANDS] VAUGHAN, JOHN, Sir. Long manuscript letter signed to William Wyndham, Baron Grenville, providing a detailed report on the military situation in the Leeward Islands.

Catalogue: The Collection of Jay I. Kislak sold to benefit the Kislak Family Foundation

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Lot Details

Lot 173
[LEEWARD ISLANDS] VAUGHAN, JOHN, Sir. Long manuscript letter signed to William Wyndham, Baron Grenville, providing a detailed report on the military situation in the Leeward Islands.
Saint Pierre, Martinique: 24 November 1794. An 8 page letter in ink signed "John Vaughan" on the recto and verso of two long bifolium, addressed to "Right Honble. William Wyndham" then Foreign Secretary. 12 1/2 x 8 inches (32 x 20 cm). Toned areas.

In this long and detailed letter from Commanding General John Vaughan, who had deep experience in the Caribbean and North America dating back to the Seven Year's War. Re-appointed to the Leeward Islands, he arrived in late 1794 and took the opportunity to "state to you [Wyndham], in the plainest manner, our real situation in the Caraibbee Islands... I found the Enemy in possession of Guadaloupe, Fort Matilda excepted, and this they have closely besieged for a month..." Vaughan continues reporting on a sickness that has claimed many soldiers and tallies the reinforcements that have come from England and Gibraltar, reports on Martinico, Saint Lucia, and mentions St. Barths, and Saint Thomas, etc. He suggests of Guadaloupe "to raise the siege of Basse-Terre and to keep the enemy in check in that Island, and by great vigilance in our cruisers endeavor to reduce them by famine; at the same time throwing garrisons of five hundred men each into Antiqua, St. Christopher, and Domenica, the islands most exposed in this situation..." In closing he mentions the Black Carolina Corps is unfit for service, and that "Privateers infest the Islands of St. Kitts and Antigua.... they are mostly manned by Americans. This break of neutrality, which is exercised in a very open manner, will, I hope, procure the attention of his Majesty's Ministers, and some measure be adopted to remedy this growing evil." A very fine letter with detailed content describing much of the British situation in West Indies.


C The Collection of Jay I. Kislak sold to benefit the Kislak Family Foundation

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Sold for $1,512 (includes buyer's premium)

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Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Sold for $1,512 (includes buyer's premium)

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Catalogue Info

The Collection of Jay I. Kislak sold to benefit the Kislak Family Foundation

Thu, Sep 15, 2022 at 10am EDT