Autograph Letter Signed ('John Corbett') from Admiral Sir John Corbett to 'Mrs. Alexander', describing his activities and plans following his marriage, including his appointment as Captain of HMS Hastings, flagship to Admiral Sir Lewis Tobias Jones.

6pp., 12mo. Earlier in 1864, as Captain John Corbett, he had married Georgina Grace, eldest daughter of G. J. Holmes of Brooke Hall, Norfolk. He begins by explaining that he could not answer her note, as he received it 'at Spithead just before sailing for Sheerness': 'As I explained to your Husband I took the note & consequently the address so that when I wanted to send my wedding cards I could only send them to Alexander at the R. L. College.' He continues: 'I am not very long out of harness and am going to try my hand at being a Flag Captain'. (On 24 June Corbett had been appointed captain of HMS Hastings, flagship of Rear-Admiral Lewis Tobias Jones at Queenstown [now Cobh], Ireland, a post he would hold for two years.) His duties will be 'very small indeed', but it appears that 'Sir L. Jones is inclined to be very gay had has plenty of parties at which I suppose I shall be wanted to assist'. Corbett and his new wife 'intend to live abroad and Adml Jones offers us quarters at the Adm[iral]s House until we are a bit settled.' On the previous day he 'sent off 1/2 a dozen boxes & tomorrow we follow with a good many others'. They are going 'via Bristol & hope for a fine passage across but its rather a long sea voyage (264 miles)'. He doubts whether the appointment will 'pay me in a pecuniary way as it is only for such a short time', but he hopes that 'Hastings will enable me to complete my time for Active Flag (I wonder how active I shall be when it comes 12 years or so hence)'. After giving advice to her husband ('as I see 2 or 3 vessels commissioned or getting ready I hope soon to see his name down. You must not let him give up another instant his past rank, it doesn't do whatever he may say to the contrary.') he concludes: 'Adml. Jones & myself were always very good friends in China [during the Second Anglo-Chinese War, 1856] & I was a good deal under his immediate orders.'