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'Documents on the loss of Tobago'

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/RCMS 267

Scope and Contents

The volume begins with 'The whole proceedings on the trial of the Hon. Major Henry Fitzroy Stanhope at a court martial...in the month of June 1783, taken in shorthand by Joseph Gurney', printed in 1783 (104 pages). This is followed by manuscript transcriptions of two documents: 'Address of Governor Ferguson to the public relative to the capture of Tobago', 1781 (12 pages), and 'Capitulation of the island of Tobago received from Lieutenant Governor Ferguson', 1781 (8 pages). The rest of the volume is comprised of an English translation from the French of 'The King's Ordonnance concerning attornies and managers of plantations in the Windward Islands', printed by Ellis and Perch, 1787 (16 pages). This ordinance relates to the period when Tobago was in the possession of France.

Dates

  • Creation: 1781 - 1787

Conditions Governing Access

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Biographical / Historical

Tobago was attacked by a French fleet in May 1781, and faced with the unwillingness of his militia and some of his troops to continue the defence, Governor Ferguson capitulated on 2 June. Major Stanhope, commanding the regular troops, was later courtmartialled for his conduct, but found not guilty.

Extent

1 volume(s) (1 volume) : paper

Language of Materials

English

Former / Other Reference

Case A63

Other Finding Aids

MSS Addenda, vol. III.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The manuscript was originally part of a volume entitled 'Trial of General Murray', which included material relating to the Siege of Minorca that now forms RCMS 61. The provenance of the volume prior to its receipt at the R.C.S. is unknown.

Bibliography

The fall of Tobago is described in C.R. Otley, 'The story of Tobago', 1973, pp. 44-52.

General

This collection level description was created by RAS using information from the original typescript catalogue.

Originator(s)

Unknown

Includes index.
Date
2004-02-02 11:29:03+00:00
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom