Bidspirit auction | A PAIR OF BRITISH ROYAL

A PAIR OF BRITISH ROYAL NAVY ALS LETTERS, OCT 1831, LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY SIR JAMES GRAHAM AND REAR ADMIRAL FREDERICK WARREN - Two Autograph Letters Signed by important Royal Navy Admirals in 1831. The first of these two letters is written by Sir James Graham, the First Lord of the Admiralty and Later Home Secretary, who was a very influential politician, instituting sweeping reforms in the Navy and helping to abolish slavery among many other accomplishments. Graham Land in Antarctica, the closest point to South America, is named after him. In his letter to Rear Admiral Frederick Warren, he first discusses a secret report from a spy in The Hague regarding Dutch naval preparations, stating, however, that ”...they will think twice before they venture to incur your displeasure by any hostile movement.”. The Dutch were attempting to quell rebellion in Belgium, which had recently revolted and was seeking international recognition for their independence from the Netherlands. Sir Graham then remarks on Warren's passage to the Downs, an important Royal Navy Anchorage near Dover in the Southeast of England, followed by praise for the aptitude of his command and a congratulations for his recent promotion, stating ”...the King has expressed to me in the strongest manner his entire approbation of your appointment.”. The aforementioned promotion being Warren's appointment to Commander-in-Chief of the Cape of Good Hope Station, the Royal Navy's South African fleet and Naval Base. Rear Admiral Frederick Warren was a longtime veteran of the Royal Navy, having been involved in the Napoleonic Wars from the very beginning and rising through the ranks since then. In his letter to Sir James Graham, written from onboard the HMS Talavera, he first articulates his thanks for the appointment and approbation of the King, before going on to discuss the intricacies of his fleet's actions against the Dutch, specifically his blockade of the Maas and Scheldt Rivers. Warren relates his desire to keep the bulk of his fleet in the downs where they will be safer from inclement weather, while keeping a frigate and sloop of war just off the Maas and Scheldt to monitor any potential movements by the Dutch, though his orders prevent him from dividing his fleet. A full transcript of these letters can be provided upon request. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions does not ship in-house. A list of recommended shippers will be provided. Dimensions: 9 1/4 x 7 1/2 in., (23.5 x 19 cm.) Condition: Near perfect condition with no apparent flaws.