[Blake (pseud), active 18th century]
Remarks on Com. Johnstone's Account of his engagement with a French squadron,
under the command of Mons. de Suffrein, on April 16, 1781, in Port Praya Road, in the island of St. Jago.
Description:
last leaf partly browned and with a ragged tear at the top, entering the text but without loss,
pp. [ii], 22, 8vo,
uncut, stitched as issued, stitching a little loose
Publication Details:
Printed for J. Debrett, (successor to Mr. Almon), 1781
Notes: After a long and varied career, both in the navy and in politics, this was Governor Johnstone's final naval action, and perhaps the least successful of all his many adventures. If he did write 'An Account', it was either not published or does not survive. The text here consists of 4 letters: according to ESTC, the last is signed Blake. In fact it is the thrid letter which is so signed, whereas Letter IV, beginning 'I think Blake is in the right not to take note of Raleigh's letter', is clearly written by another. Very scarce: Oxford and Rylands only in the UK, 6 in the US, and 1 in South Afric...moreAfter a long and varied career, both in the navy and in politics, this was Governor Johnstone's final naval action, and perhaps the least successful of all his many adventures. If he did write 'An Account', it was either not published or does not survive. The text here consists of 4 letters: according to ESTC, the last is signed Blake. In fact it is the thrid letter which is so signed, whereas Letter IV, beginning 'I think Blake is in the right not to take note of Raleigh's letter', is clearly written by another. Very scarce: Oxford and Rylands only in the UK, 6 in the US, and 1 in South Africa. One of the US locations, the Newberry is in fact a Plymouth printing, otherwise unrecorded. 'In 1781 Johnstone took a sizeable collection of vessels that included a strong war squadron, transports, and East-Indiamen on what was supposed to be a secret expedition. Its purpose was to seize the strategically important colony at the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch who, in 1780, had entered the war against Britain. Discovering what was afoot, the French sent Admiral Pierre André de Suffren to thwart Johnstone. He caught up with and attacked Johnstone's fleet as it lay untidily at anchor in Porto Praya in the Cape Verde Islands. Suffren damaged it enough to hinder an effective response from Johnstone, who pursued tardily and without significant success. Suffren had ruined all chance of his surprising and capturing the colony at the Cape' (ODNB). HIDE
Bibliography: (ESTC T150324; Sabin 36395, under Johnstone, but stating 'This is by Admiral Blake')
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Price: £750
Subject: History
Published Date: 1781
Stock Number: 59759
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