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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, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: October 14, 1778 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; Height: 37 cm, Width: 23 cm Order a Copy

He 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.

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826
Dundas, James, 1752-1831
Sackville, George Germain, Viscount, 1716-1785
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
Howe, William, 1729-1814
Clinton, George, 1739-1812

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