RODNEY: AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT REPLY LETTER JUST PRIOR TO SAILING FOR THE RELIEF OF GIBRALTAR, 1779

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RODNEY: AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT REPLY LETTER JUST PRIOR TO SAILING FOR THE RELIEF OF GIBRALTAR, 1779
written over a single folded sheet with watermark for J. PORTAL Lord Rodney replies to a request for accommodation and explains that they cannot sail until the wind turns: I shall certainly sail the moment wind and weather permits. You must govern yourself by the wind if westerly I shall sail as soon as such a large fleet can weigh anchor, in an archive file within folder containing a transcript and copious notes
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Lot Essay

There was mounting alarm from reports of a large Spanish squadron assembling in the Straites [of Dover] and Rodney received urgent letters from the Admiralty to sail immediately, apparently unaware that he was trapped at anchor by strong westerly winds and it was not for another fortnight that winds changed to the desired easterleys, allowing his large fleet of nearly one hundred and fifty sail to embark

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