Admiral Lord Rodney | Autograph letter signed, to George Lyttelton, on Martinique, 29 June 1762

Admiral George Brydges Rodney, Lord Rodney

Autograph letter signed, to George Lyttelton

giving his appraisal of the commercial and strategic importance of Martinique ("...the Island of Martin-ique is so happily situated by Nature, that whoever possesses it, can at pleasure Command all the others [in the Caribbean]...") feeling sure, however, that the Administration is aware of the importance of these islands and flattering himself that Lyttelton will "only look upon this letter as wrote to a private Friend for whom I shall ever retain the most sincere Respect, and whose Valuable Friendship I shall esteem as the greatest Honour . . ."; in key with this last sentiment, Rodney, apologises at the start of the letter that he cannot assist a relation of Lyttelton's serving on board the Stirling Castle, since the ship has departed for Havana with Sir George Pocock (". . . I will however write to Mr Keppel either to make him a Lieu' or send him by the first oppertunity [sic] to me . . ."), and sends his best respects to Admiral Smith, 12 pages, 4to, Martinique, 29 June 1762

Rodney had led the invasion of Martinique in January-February 1762 and here writes at length about the importance of his prize. It is, he argues, "one intire Fortification by Nature", and he marvels at the French's failure to exploit their advantage:

"...it is astonishing to me, as they have been superior in these seas once during this War, that they did not over run all our Islands, sweep all the slaves, and Destroy the Plantations, for to keep our Islands would have not been worth their While, Martinique being capable to make more sugar than all our Islands put together..."

Furthermore, he continues, the harbour of Martinique is capable of containing the British fleet, and its careenage is sufficient to contain a number of the largest ships during the hurricane months with perfect safety. From Martinique it would be possible to take the British-held islands ("..I would answer to take the whole with two thousand men in a Month..."), and its conquest will do much to bring other parts of the Caribbean under British influence:

"...the Planters, are divided between, Avarice, and fear, they think if Martinique is retained, they shall be obliged to lower the price of their Sugars. On the other hand, if its given up, they fear the loss of their own plantations, in case of another War; and that the French will over-run them before they can receive succors from Europe, which as I have said before they may easily do, and the Example of this War, has taught them a lesson, which I fancy they will never forget..."

PROVENANCE:

Papers of George, first Baron Lyttelton (1709-1773); thence by descent; The Lyttelton Papers: The Property of the Viscount Cobham, Sotheby's, London, 12 December 1978, lot 127