Military or Naval
[MELVILL
(Robert, 1723-1809, General, Governor in the West Indies, Inventor of the Carronade Gun)]
Letter in the Third Person when blind in a Secretary's hand
to Mr Pinkerton, saying that Melvill, having lately returned from Scotland... hopes to hear that he and his Family are well, and that a Friend of General Melvill yesterday left for Mr Pinkerton a small tin Box divided into two parts by a partition... having in it, as reported to G.M., a bit of wax bearing some curious impression with an inscription round it, which the young man with G.M. cannot read but it is supposed it will be intelligible to Mr Pinkerton, 1 side 4to, Brewer Street, 3rd November
Item Date: 1791
£375
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Background
Robert Melvill served in the West Indies during the Seven Years' War. He commanded the light infantry which helped capture Guadeloupe and became its Governor. From 1764 to 1771 he governed the islands ceded by France, with his capital on Grenada. His gun, made at the Carron works near Falkirk, was known as 'the smasher' from its ability to make great holes in timber at short range, and was decisive in Rodney's victory at the battle of the Saints in 1782. In spite of blindness in later years he was promoted full general in 1793.
neat collector's identification in bottom right corner
Stock No. 56639
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