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Dundas, David, Sir, Bart (1749-1826) to James Dundas

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02549.60 Author/Creator: Dundas, David, Sir, Bart (1749-1826) Place Written: Richmond (London), England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 October 1778 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 37 x 23 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to transmit "Political News" about the American Revolution he received from George Germain. Relays an account that the Americans under Nathanael Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette landed 18,000 troops in Rhode Island. Describes a near naval engagement with Lord Howe that was prevented by a hurricane, which damaged the ships. General George Clinton then reinforced Rhode Island with 4,000 men. Comments on the movements of Howe and status of other naval vessels. Judges that "upon the whole the news are rather good & to our advantage. & if ever Justice held the ballance in determining the quarrels of Nations the scale must certainly prepond in our favour." Notes that the official dispatches have not yet arrived, so there will not yet be a public account.

Sir David Dundas, 1st Bart of Richmond, was a doctor who was appointed Sargent Surgeon to King George III in 1791.
James Dundas was a lawyer in Edinburgh, Scotland, and David's younger brother.

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826
Dundas, James, 1752-1831

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