Lot 703
A COMMISSION FROM THE ADMIRALTY APPOINTING GEORGE ROBINSON COMMANDER OF H.M. SLOOP WASP. A commission dated 1795 appointing George Robinson Esquire Commander of His Majesty's Sloop the Wasp, 'requiring you forthwith to go on board and take upon you the Charge and Command of Commander in her 23rd June 1795. Signed by Spencer, Gambon and a third indistinct signature. With a letter in French dated 1794 regarding Captain Robinson on headed note paper for the Republic of France, and dated the third year of the Republic. With a fine pair of silhouette portraits, one of George Robinson in naval uniform holding a telescope in his left hand, and with a wooden 'peg-leg', highlighted in gilt, inscribed to the reverse 'Captain G. Robinson R. N. ... served under Lords Rodney and Hood. Lost his leg in an engagement with 2 French men of war when in command of H.M. Ship Thames - taken prisoner was in a French Prison 2 years under Robespiere' and a similar silhouette of his second wife 'Mrs Anne Robinson 2nd Wife of Captain Geo Robinson R.N. a daughter of Rev W. Reece M.A. Rector of Colwall Herefordshire, she died 1856', each framed and glazed in moulded ebonised frames, 34 x 26cm maximum dimensions. The letter appears to be written by a Citizen of Brest and is requesting permission to send Captain Robinson home due to his lost leg and his no longer being a threat to the French Navy. This proved to be an underestimation of the Captain as the navy gave him this commission in 1795. The action in which Commander Robinson lost his leg and was taken prisoner was an action South West of Brest between HMS Thames Captained by James Cotes, Robinson being a 2nd Lieutenant. The ship a 5th Rate ship built by Adams at Buckler's Hard in 1758, came up against a superior French vessel the Uraine, they fought for nearly four hours and both suffered extensive damage, whilst making repairs the Thames was captured by three French Frigates and a brig. She remained in French hands until June 1796 as Tamise. Having been promoted to Commander in 1795 Robinson received a pension of £91. 5s a year from January 1796, which rose to £200 a year from May 8th 1816.
IMPORTANT: Since first cataloguing this lot Captain Robinson's diary/pocketbook from 1788 has been discovered. The volume in finely tooled red leather with gilt highlights and decorative clasps is 'Rider's British Merlin 1788' printed in red and black. The book was in Captain Robert's possession whilst a prisoner of War in Brest and includes the comment 'having been in France 549 days' and 'heard that the convention agreed to exchange of prisoners - happy if true!!' Alongside the references to France the book contains diary notes such as ' Came to Town to raise seamen. Landed Salcombe' 'A prisoner threw himself into the well and was drowned' '960 Prisoners dead from May 8th out of 3,300' as well as what seem to be notes of his personal accounts and other writings. The volume 13 x 7.5cm.
