(Jamaica) — Lieutenant George Anson | "Immoral but historical letters. Shewing the profligate life of our officers of the Army..."

(Jamaica) — Lieutenant George Anson

A series of 28 autograph letters signed ("G Anson") to Lieutenant William Lee, written from England and Jamaica, 1789-1795

28 autograph letters, approximately 60 pages in total, 4to (various sizes, though approximately 225 x 185 mm). Some letters with integral address leaves, others with integral leaves cut away, remnants of wax seals, one with a diagram drawn in pencil and annotated in ink, within a folded leaf inscribed "Immoral but historical letters. Shewing the profligate life of our officers of the Army & the dangers which they are exposed to," several letters endorsed "an Immoral Letter" in the same hand; old folds, some leaves with minor browning and soiling, a few trimmed close, a few tears resulting from seals sometimes costing a small portion of text.  

Lieutenant George Anson's detailed accounts of licentiousness by British soldiers stationed in Jamaica

During the period these letters date to, Sir George Anson, who eventually rose to the rank of general, was a member of the 16th/20th Dragoons. In this small archive, Anson offers a brilliant and amusing picture of Jamaica at that time: remarking on the women and wine of the island, ("… to be sure there are Women & Wine, the former not equal to a whore in the strand, the latter you certainly have in perfection…"), giving news of the war of 1793, describing (with a plan) the barracks at Spanish Town, and giving details of military life on the island.

A colorful account of military life in early Colonial Jamaica

PROVENANCE:

Sotheby's New York, 12 May 1981, lot 23