COLLINGWOOD CUTHBERT: (1748-1810) British Vice Admiral, notable as a partner with Lord Nelson in several of the ...

COLLINGWOOD CUTHBERT: (1748-1810) British Vice Admiral, notable as a partner with Lord Nelson in several of the British victories during the Napoleonic Wars. An excellent collection of eight A.Ls.S. and eight Ls.S., Collingwood, thirty five pages (total), 4to and folio, at sea ('Ocean', off Cadiz), January 1806 - July 1808, to various correspondents, each of them British Consuls at Morocco, comprising James Matra, John Ross and James Green. Collingwood writes an interesting series of letters regarding British relationships with Morocco (and the role of Jews in contract negotiations for supplies) and the Emperor, also making references to the French and Spanish armies, peace negotiations in Paris etc., in part, 'I received the favour of your letter by Captain Pearse - and am much obliged by the communication of intelligence which accompanied it - you know that only a certain degree of credit is to be given to any intelligence received from the French - for besides the….whole nation….composing stories - they have an interest in deceiving us - however I ascertained their being at Teneriffe - and I have information of their movements from that time (17 Decr.)…….the story of their having captured the Magnamine's convoy was a fabrication - the Magnamine being in England and unfit for sea…….You know the fleet is always at sea - it must be at sea - and the health can only be maintained by a supply of refreshment……and trust with confidence that this important object will have its due weight and consideration with you' (A.L.S., 15th January 1806), 'I have just received and send you by the Amphion a letter from His Majesty to the Emperor of Morocco, with a great quantity of valuable articles sent by His Majesty as presents to the Emperor……The letter from Lord Castlereagh to Lord Nelson which accompanied these Packages, I am afraid was sent to England, amongst His Lordship's papers…..I hope in this negociation which is the subject of His Majesty's Letter, that a free and open use of the Country may be obtained for the Fleet as far as relates to the procuring refreshment and stock, that the exorbitant duty of 26 Dollars a head on the cattle may either be discontinued or reduced to the same terms on which the Garrison of Gibraltar is supplied……I am informed that the most friendly dispositions are entertained by the Moorish Government and the people in general towards the English, and that the difficulties to which we are principally exposed in receiving supplies proceed from the Jews who……turn every circumstance to profit, and by limiting the quantity of stock exported, raise its price to an extravagant height - perhaps these people might be softened by a proper kind of attention' (L.S. to Matra, 11th January 1806), '…..if you can procure me 4 or 5 dozen fowls, with some eggs and a few vegetables, to be forwarded by the Duchess of Bedford, I will be much obliged…..' (L.S. to Ross, 22nd April 1806), 'I have received your letter…..in which you informed me of the French mission. I will be glad if you can now tell me what the result of it was - if the nature of their business has transpired & what success they met with' (A.L.S. to Ross, 12th May 1806), 'I have received your letter…..with….the copy of your correspondence with…..the Consul of Portugal. I am very sorry when these causes of complaint occur, and am disposed to make some allowance to the Portuguese for the circumstances of the times. The influence which France has obtained in Portugal we must expect in some degree to feel the effect of……I have no doubt that had the Portuguese Consul refused the requisition of the French for a vessel to bring their people round to Tangier, it should have been alleged against him as a high offence……I have great satisfaction in hearing that the French did not obtain the object of their mission' (L.S. to Ross, 15th May 1806), 'You arrive, Sir, at a period when there happily exists the most perfect harmony and good understanding with the Emperor, and with the Barbary states in general……The Fleet has always been very plentifully supplied with Beef and refreshments, but the duty paid on the cattle sent to us is extravagantly high (26 dollars a head) while the French and Spanish agents have lately concluded a treaty by which they are only charged 5 or 6 Dollars a head…..If at a reasonable time by a temperate negociation with the Emperor's ministers you could get the duty reduced it would be very desirable……I have on all occasions endeavoured to introduce to their consideration (the Moors) how much they have to apprehend of danger to the tranquillity of their Country by the extension of the French power' (L.S. to Green, 15th July 1806), 'I have received the favour of your letter informing me of the rights of neutrality of the Barbary coast by some of the Spanish Privateers……The fact is that the Privateers boats on both sides are not very regular in their conduct, not very observant of the laws of neutrality when it suits their convenience or their interest to break them……The reprisal made by the English boat - I cannot condemn after his Captures being taken from him as they were - those things should not be encouraged - but if they were put a stop to by authority - or granting passports to Spanish vessels - the spirit of that coasting warfare would be damped - and it is certainly very advantageous to Gibraltar - as it employs a great number of Ruffians who would otherwise be acting against us' (A.L.S. to Green, 31st July 1806), 'The most material business we have with him (the Emperor of Morocco) is the obtaining supplies, which we now do in abundance, but at a most enormous price…..I am led to believe the high duty demanded of us is an extortion by the Jews and others who are engaged in the contract…..I have not heard from England since the beginning of August, but have little expectation of any favourable termination of the negociation at Paris' (L.S. to Green, 14th September 1806), 'I have received your letter……and am sorry to find the Emperor should have been less accommodating than you had reason to expect……but I am afraid remonstrating with him on the subject will not avail us & on the contrary, should he take it into his head to be displeased he may still impose higher duties, for these people are governed less by principles of interest than of momentary passion. He knew the duty was not paid in Gun Powder, but meant it to be understood as threatening that he would raise it, to what could not be paid……Lord Lauderdale was still at Paris, but with little hope of Peace' (L.S. to Green, 14th October 1806), '…..the Emperor and his Governors are not very liberal of any thing but fair promises - but they are a people who will always require a certain address to manage - and what we get - and is so necessary to us, is only to be done by yielding a little to their caprices…..I am glad you could accommodate the affair of the….escape - but the owners of the boats should be informed that if their crews do illegal things in Barbary - they must be subject to the law of that country - and not expect under…..the English flag to be shielded from the punishment they deserve - being in an English vessel protects them in their lawful pursuits - not in the violations of the Law of any Country' (A.L.S. to Green, 17th November 1806), 'I am glad to hear from Captain Hornby that Ash Ash is coming to Tangier. He has ever shown a disposition of kindness towards the English…..When you visit him I will beg you to remonstrate with him against the assembling of……privateers & Gun Vessels at Tangier - where I am told ten or a dozen of them lie at a time waiting the opportunity to seize upon the English traders - which I consider as a breach of neutrality - at least not giving that security to the Ports of the Empire which friends expect to find……' (A.L.S. to Green, 6th December 1806), 'The news from Cadiz is at this time very interesting as their fleet seems to be in motion and preparing for sea. Whatever you can collect relative to them, particularly if troops are embarked, and what number - I will be much obliged to you for. I am very glad to hear the governor Ash Ash seized on the Privateers which took the Bullock vessel - and beg you will assure him that on our part the strictest regard shall be paid to the neutrality of the Emperor's dominions' (A.L.S. to Green, 14th February 1807), 'The Spanish Army is so much in want of the Horses and Mules which Captain Bullen was sent to Tangier to endeavour to procure permission to export from Barbary, that I have sent the Redwing over to know how the negociation goes on, and whether there is much probability of its finally succeeding' (L.S. to Green, 1st July 1808), 'The application……was communicated to me…..when we were at war with Spain - and the French threatening to get a possession in the Emperor's dominion. It was due from the intimate connexion, and our friendship with the Emperor, to avert so great a danger to his state - and if possible to find him in possession of a plan which would have afforded causes for his Enemy (the French) to annoy him as they have done all other states - but affairs since that period have taken a great turn - Spain is carrying on an active war - in the success of which the Emperor is so far interested, or it will remove from him all apprehension from the intrigues of the French…..The British Government is doing what all legitimate and good governments ought to do - supporting a great station who desires peace, against a power which only exists by……injustice. The Emperor as the friend & promoter of human happiness - as the supporter of Justice - and the Defender of the oppressed is requested to give such assistance to this people, as his Country can well afford - but under the Circumstances in which Spain is - it would be ungenerous to take advantage of her being engaged in a contest for national existence……as things are, I can not propose anything to the Spanish nation…..that might effect their future interest - or their personal honour' (A.L.S. to Green, 18th July 1808), 'I am perfectly of your opinion that it is very doubtful whether the Emperor will allow the Spaniards to have anything from his country……After two or three days partial action in which the Spanish army was always victorious, on the 28th the French army under Dupont surrender prisoners of war. The Division…..I understand had just arrived to reinforce Dupont's from peculiar circumstances which made such a measure necessary, were admitted to capitulation, by which it was agreed that themselves and their arms should be sent to Cadiz…..The French Army amounted to 14 or 16000 men. The Spanish to about 25,000…..they conducted themselves like veterans. In every instance the spirit which the Spanish people have manifested - and the resolve to relieve their Country of its invaders bears no doubt that they will do it……The French are said to have lost about 3000 men (and the) Spanish about 10 or 1200' (A.L.S. to Green, 26th July 1808). A fine collection of letters featuring good content. Some light overall age wear and very minor creasing, generally VG, 16