Beschreibung:

File of documents relating to the affairs of George Gauld, surveyor of the coast of Florida, comprising: (i) Copy attested by Gauld of the will of John Payne "Pilot in His Majesty's Naval Service", subscribed as "to be opened by Mr Gauld at my death" ("...being sensible of the Debt I owe to Mr George Gauld of the Town of Pensacola, and well assured he will cause that Justice to be done to this my Last Will and Testament, I do hereby give and devise unto him my said Executor, all other Lands, Goods, Chattles, Moneys due to me for my Services to the Navy and all Charts in Manuscript, as well as all other writings..."), 2 pages plus integral blank, folio, Pensacola, West Florida, 1 June 1778 (ii) Nine certificates signed by Admiral Sir Peter Parker ("P: Parker"), most additionally subscribed by him, for "the Principal Officers & Commissioners of His Majestys Navy, that Mr George Gauld appointed by the Right Hon.ble the Board of Admiralty to Survey the Coasts and Harbours of Florida &c" is due half a year's pay, 8 pages, all but one oblong 8vo, HMS Ostrich, Ruby (7), and Hector, Port Royal, 27 December 1778, 1 February 1781 (7), and 7 March 1781 (iii) Autograph letter signed by George Gauld, to George Paterson of East Sheen, Surrey, acknowledging receipt of one letter but alerting him that another has not come to hand ("...We have been in daily expectation of the London Ships for some time past but they are not as yet arrived. I enclose a Certificate to July last, I suppose you have already received a Duplicate of it from Jamaica as Mr Payne [see above] wrote me he had sent it when the Admiral signed it..."), adding that "This goes to New York in His Majestys Ship Solebay", one page, 4to, integral address leaf, postmarked, "Pensacola 25th March 1779" (iv) Autograph Power of Attorney, signed and sealed by George Gauld, and signed as witnesses by James McNamara, "Captn of His Maj's ship Hound", Thomas Wood, Lieutenant of Marines, and Joseph Williamson, surgeon, granted to Jonathan Michie of Craven Street, London ("...Know all men by these presents, That I George Gauld Surveyor of the Sea Coasts & Harbours of Florida &c..."), marked as duplicate, 2 pages, 4to, "Pensacola in the Province of West Florida", 17 May 1780 (v) Autograph Power of Attorney, signed and sealed by George Gauld, and signed as witnesses by William Williams and David McCulloch, granted to Jonathan Michie of Craven Street, London, worded as the foregoing and marked as duplicate, 2 pages, 4to, "Pensacola in the Province of West Florida", 17 May 1780 (vi) Twelve autograph letters signed by George Gauld, to Jonathan Michie, of Craven Street, discussing legal and financial business, including the administration of John Payne's estate, interspersed with news of the war as seen from Pensacola ("...We have been long in hopes of a Reinforcement both of Ships and Men, but it seems they have given us over at Jamaica for lost. The Spaniards have not as yet attempted this place, but they have taken Mobile and the Mississippi...The Spanish Armament from the Havanna have been for some days past at Anchor off this Bar, but have not as yet attempted to force the Harbour, though they have had a fair wind for that purpose. We are in hopes that a fleet will soon come from Jamaica to our assistance..."), later letters being written from New York after the fall of Pensacola ("...I am still waiting here impatiently for a Convoy to London, which I hope will soon happen. New York is excessively dear to live at. About 3000 German troops arrived here two days ago under convoy of his Majesty's Ship Amphion and two armed Ships. Several Rebel Prizes are daily sent in here by the Cruizers and Privateers. In the course of last week no less than eight have been brought in, among which is the Trumbull a congress frigate of 32 Guns and the Belisarius a very fine Ship belonging to Salem of 24 Guns. It is said there are only two Frigates remaining of the Continental Navy vizt the Deane and Associatio