Description:

Colonial America - A superb 18th century letter reporting on rumors of war with France during the War of Jenkins Ear and a personal tragedy at sea:"... my brother is Dead he was Destroyed By the Sharks In ye West Indies ..."



Autograph Letter Signed, "Henery Clarke," 1 page, 6.25" x 8", [n.p.], April 6, 1740, to his wife reporting on his time at sea, the possibility of a war with France, and the tragic end to his brother's life at the hands of sharks. Expected folds, some soiling and marginal chips and tears, else very good condition overall.


Clarke's letter reads in full [with period spellings retained without comment]: "My Dear this Comes with my kind Love To you & my blessing to ye Child & My [?] To Mother hoping you are all In good health As I am thank God for it we have a Great Talk of a french War but God k[n]ows how it will be my brother is Dead he was Destroyed By the Sharks In ye West Indies my Mother Remember her Love to You & So Does all my friends tho Unknown We have a talk on board of Us and if we should be turn[e]d Over on board Some of ye Ships that is Going Up Ye Straight but we are not Certain as yet what made me Stay Longer y[e]t I would as about Some money y[e]t was left us by one of my Aunt & we are at Lan[?] about It Now I would not gave you make your self[?] any ways uneasy I will make you Amends For All Pleas God I Live To Come home. I Dont want for any thing my mother sends me more or Less Every Week & She Is often Saying she should be Glad to my wife. I Conclude with Remaining Your Ever Loveing husband till Death Henery Clark_„î "

When war erupted between Britain and Spain in 1739, both powers expected France to join the fray on the Spanish side. France, despite her Pacte de Famile with Spain, remained neutral in the conflict. However, when Clark was writing, it was still an open question whether France would join with Spain_„î a concern which prompted an invasion scare in England. In 1742, when the War of Austrian Succession erupted, France joined the fray on Spain's side, together with Prussia, Bavaria, and Sweden against Austria, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Russia.

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