Lot 335

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Description:

Rev War Captain John Ritchie ALS from the HMS Providence in 1781 Re: Preparation and Provisions to Go to America with Hessian Troops

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Autograph Letter Signed Twice, "John Ritchie" and "J. Ritchie", February 28, 1781, Sheerness, 2 pp., 8" x 10".  Integral address leaf with remnant of red wax seal, torn upon opening, toning, folds, some with minor loss, else Very Good.

Ritchie writes to the ship's owner, Nathaniel Bayles, in full, spelling unchanged, "Sir / I bege Leave to Aquaint you that yours Dated the 13 Ins..t I Rec.d on my arival here on the 22 Ins.t On the 11 and 12 I was at Spithead in those heavey Gal’s and Drove with Both Anchors in head into about 12 Foot Water to the Eastward of the Spite [sic] Bouy But Gott no Damage, On the 17 Instant I sail.d from Spithead Leat in the Evening and Gott into the Down’s Next Night we Lay there 2 Day’s with the wind from SW to NE Blowing very hard Several Ship’s Driveing with Two anchors Down On the 21.st in morning it Came mod.t we Gott our anchor and Gott safe over the Fleets that Night, there is about 25 Fewer of our small Bower much Rubbed in the Gale and I think it would be proper to Worm itt for safity, shall be Glead of your Advice on the Occasion, Yesterday about 4 OClock in the afternoon at Newcastle-upon-Tine But itt being soft mudd Gott no Damage, Our small anchor Came home and hookt the moorings But it is Clear again and hope will be Little Expence — I have sent my Acc.ts And if there is any Charges I have made on the ship that is not proper Lett me Know after you have overhauld them and I will Emeditly Deduct it, Since the Time I Came out of Portsmouth Harbour I Give the People Twice Fresh beef a Week that my stock may Still be Keept up as much as possable for it is Expected we will Goe to America with Those Hissian’s Troop’s and several ship’s On that Pretence is Takeing Two years Provision’s with them— as I Dar say itt Will be some Time Before we Gett from this to the Wiser and Back to Portsmouth Should be Glead if you Could Gett me Two servant’s and send them up to Portsmouth or here if not sailed — You Shall have what Triflening Rec.ts there may be in Futer Every Two month’s after this, And Depend on it I shall do to the outmost of my Endeavour with regard of Takeing Care of stors, and Provision’s, I Could wish to Obtain.d the Valuation to sent it you But as I Could not, I Doth not Sattle with M.r Lindegreen for those Fees for the Officers in the Dockyard untill he Getts it for me —  / P.S. I hop with regard to the balance that stand’s Betweext me and the ship it makes no Particular Differance to you."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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January 6, 2021 10:30 AM EST
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