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NAPOLEONIC & PENINSULAR WAR ARCHIVES WITH THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PENINSULAR WAR CAMPAIGN UPON US - NAPOLEON & SPAIN SIGN THE TREATY OF FOUNTAINEBLEAU ON OCTOBER 27, 1807 FOR THE INVASION OF PORTUGAL - WELLINGTON LANDS IN PORTUGAL AT MOUTH OF THE MONDEGA ON THE 1ST OF AUGUST OF 1808 - WE ARE PRESENTING QUALITY ORIGINAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS THAT WILL JUMP START OR ENHANCE ANY BICENTENNIAL EXHIBIT, COLLECTION OR TRIP TO THE BATTLEFIELDS. MARINE SALVAGE OF THE GUNS OF THE "RAPHAEL" A SCARCE MARINE SALVAGE LETTER FROM THE PENINSULAR WAR 17th Clan Chief of Ardnamurchan NAVAL STORES OFFICER JAMES McKAIN, IN LISBON, PORTUGAL, IS UNABLE TO FIND "A DIVER TO ASCERTAIN THE STATE OF THE RAPHAEL'S GUNS THIS DOCUMENT IS COVERED BY OUR WRITTEN, SIGNED AND SEALEDLIFETIME GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTICITY Transcription: Naval Stores, Lisbon24th August 1813 Sir, In reply to your Excellency's Letter of yesterday's date/ I have to inform you that I have since my communication of the 6th made every enquiry for a Diver to ascertain the state of the Raphael's Guns/ but have not yet been able to find one adequate to that task: and I have not used any other measure, this appearing to me to be the first possible step. I have the honor to be,Sir, Your Excellency'smost obedient,humble Servant James McKain Naval OfficerHis ExcellencySir Charles Stuart, K.B.Lisbon James McKain, Royal Navy Purser and Storekeeper17th Chief of Clan Iain of Ardnamurchan(1781 - 1845) James McKain was the eldest son of James and Ann (née Honeywood) McKain and was born in 1781 at Bungay, Norfolk. On the death of his father, James senior, in 1828, James succeeded him as the 17th Chief of Ardnamurchan. James junior married Kate Lewis, daughter of Captain William Dobbin R.N. of the ancient family of Carrickfergus, on 4th January 1821 at Steynton, Pembrokeshire. They had nine children. James entered the Navy in 1803 and served for 25 years as Purser (Paymaster), Naval Storekeeper and Clerk of the Cheque at His Majesty's Dockyards during the following periods: Lisbon 1808-1815Pembroke 1815-1822Sheerness 1822-1827The Royal Dockyard at Woolwich 1827-1832 He retired on 27th June 1832 and spent his latter years in Bordeaux, France where he resided until his death in 1845. (extract from: "History and Genealogy of the Ancient House of Ardnamurchan" by C.A.Mackain, M.A., F.R.E.S., 1943) As a further note: We have not been able to find the "Raphael" listed in the British Fleet Records and thus are not sure if it was possibly a Spanish or Portuguese vessel. Document Specifications: An extremely fine handwritten ALS letter, signed by James McKain as Naval Officer, Naval Stores, Lisbon and dated August 24th 1813. Single Sheet measures 12¾" tall x 7⅞" wide (323mm x 200mm), on batonne laid paper, watermarked with seated Britannia within triple oval beneath British crown, with minor edge toning along the top. Writing on one side as shown. This is a beautiful, handwritten letter by the man who would become the 17th Clan Chief of Ardnamurchan, as he attempts to find "a Diver to ascertain the state of the Raphael's Guns". This is the only Marine Salvage letter we have ever handled from the Peninsular War. From the Stuart Correspondence. Offered by Berryhill & Sturgeon, Ltd No Reserve - Free Shipping – No Auction Buyer’s FeesWhat You Bid Is What You Pay!! All items include a written guarantee of authenticity to the successful bidder and are accompanied by a full color picture receipt for your insurance and inventory records. All items are shipped fully insured and archivally packaged to your address with proof of delivery confirmation/signature. Please note that although we take great care in scanning our document images, color may vary from original. Damage on delivery must be promptly reported. While shipping is free we are required by law to assess a state sales tax for items sold to buyers in Missouri and international shipments require buyer to be accountable for all applicable duties, customs fees, excise taxes or VAT's. CLICK THE EBAY "ME" BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT USOR TO CONTACT US DIRECTLY
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