Madere

‘Lord Wellington is in full pursuit of the French’: Col. Thomas Abernethie of the Royal Marines 1811. Autograph Letter Signed from Major Thomas Abernethie Royal Marines to Cox and Son regarding a cask of madeira and news of the Peninsular War.

réf. 25566 — ‘Lisbon 16 March 1811’. He receives the briefest of obituaries in the Gentleman's Magazine July 1840: 'May 10. At Exeter aged 81 Col. Thomas Abernethie K.H. on the retired list of the Royal Marines.' 3pp 4to. Bifolium. On aged and discoloured paper with the usual damage to the second leaf from the breaking of the seal. Addressed on reverse of second leaf with postmark to ‘Messrs Cox & Son / 20 Bartletts Buildings / Holborn / London’. Signed ‘Thos. Abernethie’ and docketed ‘Maj: Abernethie / 16 March 1811’. Begins: ‘Gentlemen / I have requested a Cap. Falcon of the Navy to purchase for me a Qr cask of Madeira - should he and to draw upon you per the Amt. which you will please to honor -’. He continues: ‘Lord Wellington is in full pursuit of the French - but I scarcely think he will follow them further than the confines of Portugal - should they escape thither - we have no certain intelligence of the Armies till we receive it in an official shape from England - Cap. Cox is well - we rode together yesterday to see the palace of Queluse sic about 8 miles from Lisbon - a very charming spot -’. ‘Lisbon 16 March 1811’. unknown