Description:

CAPT. JOHN RITCHIE - BRITISH TROOP TRANSPORTER...AND SLAVER
An excellent war-date A.L.S. of Capt. JOHN RITCHIE, master of the HMS PROVIDENCE, 'Bremen Lake', 1p. 4to., Apr. 25, 1781 with integral address leaf, to the vessel's owner, English merchant Nathaniel Bayles discussing loading Hessian troops for service fighting the Continental Army. In part: '...we gott safe over on the 23 of March...me and two Ships more sail for...the River [Elbe] for Troops. On the 17th Inst. we arrived here and the most part of the Troops is embarkt the Rest is Expected Every Day...Pilotage is very hard upon these 3 ships...we shall be sure to go for New York shall be glad for your advise when arrived at Portsmouth...' Fine contrast, and in overall very good condition. The Providence had been employed by the Royal Navy as a troop ship for the carriage of Scottish and Hessian troops, as well as supplies needed in New York and Charleston. by the 1780s the Providence had been hired by the navy and become a Transport taking troops over to fight in the war in North America. The Providence transported Hessian and Scottish regiments as well as supplies needed in New York. New York was under embargo by the surrounding colonies and the only way to get fresh supplies was from the local sympathizers or from England and her colonies. As a side note, the National Archives has a grouping of letters from the Providence showing that the vessel was also a slave ship. The archive is titled: 'John Ritchie, captain of ship Providence: corresp to Nathaniel Bayles of Newcastle while sailing between New York and Jamaica, voyage accounts, crew wages, lists, slave cargoes, and the Providence's involvement in the American War of Independence...'

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December 9, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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