Beschreibung:

Hall, William King British Admiral. 1816-1886. Autograph Letter Signed ("William Hall") to "My dear Foote" (the American Commander Andrew Hull Foote, 1806-1863), commenting on the Second Opium War and the impending American Civil War, 6 pp, small 8vo, dated HMS Indus, Bermuda, March 5th, 1860, central creases. An attractive personal and friendly letter between a British Naval commander and his American counterpart, written just after the conclusion of the Second Opium War (1856-1860). Hall commanded HMS Calcutta during the Second Opium War and took part in the first attack on Canton, and in the assault on the Taku Forts in 1859. In 1858 Foote commanded the USS Portsmouth, which although the US was neutral in the conflict was fired upon by Chinese forces at Canton, and seized and occupied Chinese Forts on the Pearl River. The American Navy also came to the help of the British Navy during the Battle for the Taku Forts on the Hai River. From this joint experience of meeting and dining on board in China, Hall takes the opportunity of writing to his old friend Foote, while on station in Bermuda, in 1860. Hall's poignant words on the impending Civil war ring true "A cloud of anxiety to say the least of it, has gathered over your country ... I trust that whatever may happen angry and revengeful feelings will subside and the wise and cool heads will counterbalance all the enthusiasm and zeal ... but what I think that sooner or later the states must divorce." Foote was an advocate of Temperance, helped suppress the slave trade off the African coast, and a noted abolitionist. After his China posting he was sent to command the Brooklyn Naval Yard, and then commanded the Mississippi Squadron for the Union in the Civil War; he died suddenly in 1863. At a time when it is generally thought that the forces of Britain and the United States were still at loggerheads after the American Revolution and the War of 1812, here is a British Naval Admiral and an American Captain swapping candid opinions on world matters