BIB_ID
459250
Accession number
MA 14909.27
Creator
Edward Augustus, Prince, Duke of Kent, 1767-1820, sender.
Credit line
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Description
1 item (14 pages) ; 24.8 x 19.4 cm
Notes
The previous, "late" governor was army officer Charles O'Hara (1740-1802), who died in that post in February of 1802.
Henry Edward Fox (1755-1811), an army officer, would serve as lieutenant-governor of Gibraltar, 1804-1806.
"Captain Bentinck" is William Bentinck (1764-1813) of the Royal Navy. Bentinck served as governor of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 1798-1802. Henry William Bentinck (1765-1820) succeeded him, 1802-1806.
"Major Lyons" is probably Charles Lyons (died 1812), town major of Halifax court-martialed and "reduced to penury" in 1798. Edward made appeals to the government on behalf of his widow and children over some years (see Gerald Hamilton-Edwards, Edward, Duke of Kent, and the Lyons Family in Nova Scotia, Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research [vol. LVI no. 225], pp. 39-47).
Referenced treaty is the Treaty of Amiens (1802) that ended the War of the Second Coalition and required Britain to evacuate its forces from Malta.
Thomas MacDonogh (died 1812) was British consul in New England.
"Mr. Pendar" may be Peter Pender of Falmouth (see Linda Batchelor, 'A very nice middy' - Daniel Pender 1832-1891, Bartlett Maritime Research Centre).
Part of a collection of letters from Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, to Sir John Wentworth, 1st Baronet (MA 14909).
Henry Edward Fox (1755-1811), an army officer, would serve as lieutenant-governor of Gibraltar, 1804-1806.
"Captain Bentinck" is William Bentinck (1764-1813) of the Royal Navy. Bentinck served as governor of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 1798-1802. Henry William Bentinck (1765-1820) succeeded him, 1802-1806.
"Major Lyons" is probably Charles Lyons (died 1812), town major of Halifax court-martialed and "reduced to penury" in 1798. Edward made appeals to the government on behalf of his widow and children over some years (see Gerald Hamilton-Edwards, Edward, Duke of Kent, and the Lyons Family in Nova Scotia, Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research [vol. LVI no. 225], pp. 39-47).
Referenced treaty is the Treaty of Amiens (1802) that ended the War of the Second Coalition and required Britain to evacuate its forces from Malta.
Thomas MacDonogh (died 1812) was British consul in New England.
"Mr. Pendar" may be Peter Pender of Falmouth (see Linda Batchelor, 'A very nice middy' - Daniel Pender 1832-1891, Bartlett Maritime Research Centre).
Part of a collection of letters from Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, to Sir John Wentworth, 1st Baronet (MA 14909).
Provenance
Gordon N. Ray.
Summary
Acknowledging receipt of letter of March 26; claiming the governorship of Gibraltar is "looked upon as the most honorable" "in our profession"; stating his main duty as governor of Gibraltar to restore discipline to the garrison there, "which had so seriously been let down" in the last part "of the late Governor's life"; stating his appointment took place on March 25 and he arrived in Gibraltar May 10; remarking: "I flatter myself I have been able to do some good already; but much remains to be done and it will take me many months" to establish things as he did in Halifax; noting "that in point of Emolument" he will not be so well here as he was in Nova Scotia and that his "table expenses must be at least treble" due to hosting obligations; missing "our parties at Government house"; commenting on better-than-expected health; expecting to serve in post two full years and be relieved by his "future Lieut. Governor" lieutenant-general Fox; conveying good wishes of Madame de St. Laurent (who has joined Edward in Gibraltar) to Wentworth and his wife; expressing confidence will not be recalled from Nova Scotia (based on communication with Lord Hobart and Mr. Sullivan) and informing that Captain Bentinck's cousin is likely to be appointed to governorship of St. Vincent as compensation; requesting Wentworth look after "poor Major Lyons"; recounting conversation with Commodore Morris of the United States Navy, "who appears to be a staunch Federalist" whose "sentiments are precisely similar to my own, and yours"; predicting the northern American States will re-unite with England and the southern States become a French colony; discussing Malta, with reference to its evacuation "being yet long protracted", no election of a new grand master by the assembly of knights, Neapolitan troops readying to relieve the British according to the treaty, and speculation on French actions; explaining letters to him can be sent either by Macdonogh in Boston via American ships or by the packet agent Mr. Pendar [sic] in Falmouth.
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