MINORCA | two letters to Lt. General James Murray, Governor of Minorca, 1781-82

MINORCA--MURRAY, LT. GENERAL JAMES

TWO LETTERS ADDRESSED TO MURRAY BY SIR WILLIAM DRAPER AND THE DUC DE CRILLON,

i) Lt. General Sir William Draper, autograph letter signed, requesting clarification of his position and responsibilities, since he had been told "to put the place in the best state of Defence that he possibly could" and now finds that the "traverses in the coverd way necessary for that purpose...are forbid", 1 page, 4to, Fort St Philip, 4 October [1781]

ii) Duc de Crillon, autograph letter signed ("duc de Crillon"), in French, thanking Murray for confirming his pardon and informing him that the Navy Minister has resigned and will be replaced by "Mylord Sanswick 2o lord de l'amirautè" 2 pages, 8vo, integral blank, Mahon, "à 11 heures du soir", [c. February/March 1782]

James Murray (1722-94) was Governor of Minorca during the five-month siege of Fort St Philip by French and Spanish forces in 1781-82, during the American Revolutionary Wars. He capitulated in February 1782, by which time the garrison was ravaged by scurvy.

PROVENANCE:

Roy Davids; his sale, Part II, Bonhams, 29 March 2011, lot 387

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