MINORCA

3pp., 4to. 71 lines closely and neatly written. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with minor repairs to wear with gummed paper. Addressed, with three postmarks (one Portsmouth), on reverse of second leaf, to 'John Hervey Esqre | Ballangrew Cardross | by Stirling | N. Britain'. He reports that his regiment arrived at Minorca a few days previously 'from Fitwan Bay': 'on our leaving the coast of Africa a separation of the Fleet took place one half went direct of [sic] Malta & the other to this place to get Provisions, and water'.

The recipient Joshua Sharpe (c.1716-86) was a solicitor of Lincoln's Inn, and counsel for various American colonies before the Board of Trade and Privy Council. His brother Horatio was Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. Two pages, folio. Grubby, frayed and worn, with some closed tears and minor fraying and loss to extremities, and minor loss to text. Appears to concern the investigation into a case brought against an English ship by the owners of the Spanish vessel Sancta Barbara ('Patron Joseph de la Torre').