Seven Years' War

A fascinating archive of three letters, all addressed to John Carnac (1716-1800) during his service in Bengal as Secretary and aide de camp to Governor Robert Clive (1725-1774), two of which concern the capture Chichurat, a Dutch trading post north of Calcutta and Carvalho Law, a French officer who was captured defending the post by Carnac in 1761 duirng the Seven Years' War. All three letters bear mounting remnants at the left margin (the first two are still bound together), usual folds, minor marginal wear, else very good.

Of interest is an Autograph Letter Signed, " Carvalho Law," 1 page, 7" x 9", [Chinchurat], February 6, 1760, in French to John Carnac in Calcutta, thanking him "for the paper and the quills that you have sent us, I cannot help to note the politeness that I have received from you, I am very sensitive to your kind wishes, I also make use of them for your prosperity and happy voyage, and please be persuaded of the high esteem with which I am Monsieur..."

A fine letter, illustrating the common respect prevalent between gentlemen, even in times of war. The following year Carnac would capture Law, who was commanding French troops and their Indian allies protecting the Dutch trading post at Chinchurat. It appears that Law's wife remained behind at Chinchurat, but accepted an offer to be transported back to Europe in 1762 as detailed in an Autograph Letter signed, " [?] Law," 1 page, 7" x 9", Chinchuart, March 11, 1762 presumably to Carnac: " The constant attentions that you have towards me should flatter me infinitely, but at the same time they embarrass me for I have only thanks to give you in return. The tea and fans [cookies], are extremely good. I will have the honor to send you tomorrow some letters for M Law if I believe that he would be at the coast at arrival of the ship that is going to sail. I would take with pleasure the option to cross, feeling in very good health at the present time, and consequently fit to take the voyage. If you judge the same, I hope that you will have the kindness to indicate it to me, and to believe in my esteem and high respect."

The archive also includes a letter executed by a British officer based in Bombay accomplished soon after the close of the war, an Autograph Letter Signed, " J Spencer," 2 pages, 7.5" x 11.25", Mumbai, India, October 13, 1763 to John Carnac (1716-1800), secretary and aide-de-camp to Robert Clive, the Governor of Bengal. Spencer writes, in most part: " Although I never had the pleasure of being personally known to you, I cannot deprive myself longer of that of corresponding with you, owing chiefly to a desire I have of clearing up a suspicion that may remain of my having been deficient in point of Civility in not acknowledging the rect of a Le[tter?] I understand you wrote be by the ay of Swat, but which never came to my hands or you might have been assured I shd with pleasure have taken the first opportunity of replying to it. It is but right also to confess that another inducement to my troubling you is to introduce to you Capt Pemble the Commanding Officer of the Detachment we now send you, sc[uc]h is as strong an one as our circumstances wd admit You will find this Gentleman worthy [of] your friendship & as He is one I have long regarded as a friend... There is another officer on the Detachment who I believe is known to you Capt Walsh, it is but doing him justice to say that I have from experience of him a worthy brave fellow— Capt D'Gloss who commands one of our Companys of Artillery & is likewise an Ingineer offered his services as a Volunteer on the expedition. He is so unhappy ss to be quite out of the good graces of our Gov. for nothing unbecoming an officer, however as that makes this [?] here not the most agreeable I believe he wd prefer and establishm[en]t on your side if consistent, to returning here, & as for as may be consistent I request your fav[our] to him..."


This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.



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