George III, King | A letter to Lord Sandwich, discussing Captain Cook and American privateers

George III, King

Autograph letter (unsigned) to Lord Sandwich, regarding Captain Cook, and warning against American privateers, Queens House, 28 April 1777

1 page, 8vo (188 x 115 mm), with integral blank; old folds, occasional and faint spotting. 

In November of 1776, whilst on his Third Voyage, Captain James Cook wrote to Lord Sandwich from the Cape of Good Hope, informing him that additional livestock had been taken onboard the Resolution. In the present letter, or "minute," King George III "very much approves of the steps taken by Captn. Cooke [sic] of purchasing additional livestock for so laudable a purpose."

The King also refers to dispatches from Admiral Young, the commander-in-chief of the Leeward Island station in the Caribbean. Young had held this position from the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and George III cautions that these dispatches ought to be "carefully weighed and proper directions given to the Governor, for if privateers are to be wantonly fitted out we shall have some unpleasant scenes with out neighbours ..." 

PROVENANCE:

Bernard Quaritch, Ltd.