"THE TITLE FROM RODNEY STOKE IS WHAT I SHOULD MOST COVET" RODNEY (George Brydges, 1718-1792, Admiral

Fine Letter Signed to "My Dear Lord Duke" thanking him for his letters about "both the Captain Stanhopes. Your Grace may be sure I shall be happy to do them all the Service in my Power. I have already promoted Captain Stanhope the younger to the command of the Terrible a 74 Gun Ship, he seems to be a Brisk active Officer and I dare say will prove himself worthy of the name he bears,and the Relationship he has the Honour to your Grace. Accept my dear Lord, my most sincere acknowledgements for the communication of my most Gracious Sovereign's acceptance of my Services, I have his leave to return to England during the rainy months, but let my health be ever so bad, I will not avail myself of his Goodness while his Enemys are so very Powerful in these seas. Or while my Strength of Mind will enable me to giv Orders, and defeat whatever designs they may have formed in their Immaginations. They have stole Tobago owing to the pusiiinamity of its Inhabitants, after having shamefully retreated from St Lucia, upon their hearing of my Approach, They are now retir'd into their strong Hold of Fort Royal Bay Martinique, and tho' they are 28 Sail of the Line, three 50 Gun Ships, and seven Frigates, they dare not venture out or run the risque of a General Action. My Frigates, keep a good look out upon them , and wherever they go, I certainly follow, and will certainly attack them if they give me a proper Opportunity ... you will hear again of my crossing the Atlantick, I will always pursue my Sovereign's Enemies ... If by His most Gracious Favour, he raises me to the Highest of all Ambition, a Peer of England, the title from Rodney Stoke is what I should most covet, and I think myself highly obliged to your Grace for your most Generous Offer, which I shall gladly embrace. I beg my most Respectful Compliments to the Dutchess of Chandos, and assure her, I will be particularly attentive to protect Jamaica, the Island has made me a most valuable present of a Service of plate, may I beg your Grace will kindly remember me to Lady Caroline Lee, and Mr Stanhope and assure them I have the sincerest satisfaction in rend'ring any Service to his Relations ...", 5 sides 4to., Sandwich at Barbados, 30th June

Rodney is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782. It is often claimed that he was the commander to have pioneered the tactic of "breaking the line". He was created Baron Rodney of Rodney Stoke, Somerset, by patent of 19th June 1782, and the House of Commons had voted him a pension of £2000 a year.
Probably to James BRYDGES (3rd Duke of Chandos, 1731-1789, Peer and Politician)


Item Date:  1781

Stock No:  40113     

                


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