Tribunaux

1746 · réf. 217802 — London: Various publishers 1746. Mostly first editions unless otherwise noted below. 1 vols. 8vo. Contemporary calf backed marbled boards. Binding worn internally clean. Mostly first editions unless otherwise noted below. 1 vols. 8vo. A good single collection relating to the trials of Admirals Mathews and Lestock which resulted from their engagement with the French and Spanish fleet near Toulon in February 1744. The battle part of the War of the Austrian Succession is said to have "marked the lowest pitch reached in discipline and fighting and efficiency by the fleet in the 18th century and it had a very bad effect in confirming the pedantic system of tactics set up by the old Fighting Instructions . " - Encyclopedia Britannica 11th ed. To the puzzlement of many contemporary observors Rear-Admiral Richard Lestock who was second in command and who kept his distance from the battle was acquitted. In contrast Vice-Admiral Thomas Mathews who engaged the enemy however confusedly was censured and was one of seven ship-captains to be discharged from the service. A hand-written table of contents on the front free flyleaf gives a list of the contents amended in pencil by a later hand. 1. Corbett Thomas. An account of the expedition of the British fleet to Sicily in the years 1718 1719 and 1720. Under the command of Sir George Byng Bart. . Collected from the Admiral's manuscripts and other original papers. With folding table. For J. and R. tonson 1739. Third edition. Lacking final leaf pp. 95-96. Sir George Byng the naval hero was the father of Admiral John Byng who presided over the cout martial of Lestock and was himself court-martialed and executed a few years later. ESTC T 142387. 2. Mathews Thomas. Authentick letters from Admiral Mathews to the Sec--t----s of st--te the L----ds of the Ad------ty &c. Relating to his expedition to the Mediterranean with their answers . 2 5-29 29-30 30-68 pp. Printed for W. Webb. Title leaf detached. ESTC T 22798. 3. Mathews Thomas. Admiral Mathews's conduct in the late engagement vindicated. Wherein the whole affair is compendiously stated. The several pieces published by Mr. Lestock examined with candor. . By a gentleman of the Royal Navy. For M. Cooper 1745. Lacking half-title. ESTC T 115878 4. Mathews Thomas. The Charge of Thomas Mathews Esq; also the answer and defence of Admiral Mathews to the said charge &c. For E. Cooper n.d. `746. ESTC T 182897. 5. Lestock Richard. Vice-Adm--l L-st-k's Account of the Late Engagement near Toulon between His Majesty's fleet and the fleets of France and Spain : as presented by him the 12th of March 1744-5 : also letters to and from Adm---l L-st--k relating thereto since his arrival in England with notes. London: for M. Cooper 1745. ESTCT4221. 6. Lestock Richard. Vice-Admal Lestock's recapitulation as spoke by him at the Bar of the Honble House of Commons on Tuesday the 9th of April 1745. Containing his remarks on the evidence that have been examined . printed for John Millan 1745. ESTC T 177090. 7. Lestock Richard. The sentence pronounc'd by the Court-martial sitting aboard His Majesty's Ship the Prince of Orange at Deptford on Tuesday the 3d of June 1746 on Vice-Admiral Lestock. printed for M. Cooper 1746. ESTC T 47456. Provenance: Philip.C. Duschnes; Paul Peralta-Ramos with stamp Various publishers unknown