Lot 800

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Description:

(CHINA) HENRY DUCIE CHADS
(1788-1868) British Admiral who saw action from Napoleonic Wars to the Crimean War. During the 1st Opium War, he was on the Chinese station (1841-45) in command of HMS Cambrian. L.S. as Captain of HMS Excellent, 2 1/3pp. folio., Portsmouth, May 25, 1853, to the Secretary of the Admiralty, marked "Confidental," excellent content re: shells. In part: "...The proposal for an Asphyxiant Shell has been before made to the Admiralty in December 1849 by two Frenchmen, who stated that it was the same as prepared for the French Navy…the Lords of the Admiralty declined to entertain the proposal, tho Inventors expenses were paid and they returned to France; immediately on their return they were arrested and tried for 'revealing a State Secret' at the trial it appeared that these persons during the period they were in England had been constantly watched by an Agent of the French Police. These circumstances prove that the French attach importance to this subject and from all reports there is reason to believe that they have this abominable missile - Such being the case I beg to submit that we should not treat the subject with indifference and as the proposal for an Asphyxiant Shell have come from a different source altho apparently similar in all respects to the former, that it is very desirable that tho the mode of manufacturing and its affect should be ascertained…" Some staining, mostly at margins. Boldly penned and easily read.

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July 8, 2015 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000