Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Howe'), one addressed to Paterson, and the other two (one to Marchmont) relating to him.

All three items 4to. All good, on lightly aged and creased paper. Letter One (2 pp, 14 lines), addressed to 'My Lord'. (The recipient is not named, but Marchmont's identity is established in a reference written by him for Paterson and dated 8 December 1778 (offered separately), in which he speaks of having 'recommended him to the notice of Lord Howe'.) Effusively courteous letter requesting the recipient to 'direct Mr Paterson to call upon me any morning between 9 & 10 O'Clock, and to say that he has business with me', in which case he will 'settle with him in the best manner I am able, correspondent to your Lordships intentions'. Letter Two (1 p, 7 lines), addressed to 'Sir'. He will be 'extremely glad' if 'the reception of Mr. Paterson into my ship' is 'productive of any advantage to the young Gentleman'. Letter Three (1 p, 6 lines), to 'Captain Chas. W. Paterson | Radnage | Wycombe | Bucks'. A bifolium, franked by Howe on the reverse of the second leaf, which carries a postmark and a red wax seal. As his 'concern in the conduct of the Naval Service' is 'limited to the immediate duties of my late Station in the Command of the Channel Fleet', he will not have 'the satisfaction of being able to promote your Views, for deriving advantage from the supposed intentions of the Admiralty to make a further addition to the Port Captain's List'. Three items,