Letters from Philip and James Dumaresq
Extract from Letter from Lieut Philip Dumaresq, Royal Navy, to his Brother, James Dumaresq, of Swan Island, Maine
- His Majestie's Ship Dragon, Portsmouth, 5 September 1804
My Dear Brother
I have received your affectionate letter, dated 1st of March, and was happy to hear that you and your famil were well. My Aunt Fanny opened your letter as she was anxious to hear from you. The old Dragon and I am in hopes that, if there should be a Spanish war, that we should make our fortunes, so that I could spend the remainder of my days alongside of you in America. My dear brother, when you think proper, you must send my namesake Phil to me. I shall take as good care of him as if he were one of my own. The Dragon in now in dock, where she will remain for three months. I spend most of my time in SOuthampton amongst my friends and relations. Brother Frank has not thought proper to write me, although such frequent opportunities offer. I am now Second Lieutenant of the Dragon 74 guns, one of the finest ships of her class in his Majestie's Navy. We came very near taking a French Ship of 84 Guns the other day. We chased her into Corunna, a port of Spain. I hope before long we shall make Mr Napoleon Bonaparte strike his Crown. They talk of invading England, and they do not dare to venture out of their Ports.
I dine tomorrow with General Eveligh, who is a repation of Captain Seward's. Miss Seward is very anxious to hear from you.
I went to a Card party the other night at Aunt Fanny's, who is now in her 82nd year. She played cards till midnight with Admiral Ferguson. When you write, address me as 2nd Lieut of his Majesty's Ship Dragon, to the care of Miss Seward, Southampton, England. She will be sure to know where the Dragon is. I wish you would write soon to Aunt Fanny. I am going up to London, and will get my minature taken. I will have the gold medal which I got in Egypt in the button hole, and will send it directed to the care of Mr Robert Hallowell, of Boston. Whenever peace takes place, I will pay you a visit. I assure you, my dear James, that never, during the time I have been in his Majesty's service, have I been more agreeably situated than I now am. I have fallen in with a number of my father's old friends, and have been dining with some of the best families in this part of England. I expect before long to hear that the French fleet have put to sea. I shall apply for a place on the Mediterranian Station. I believe I shall go with SIr James Saumerez. I shall write to brother Frank in a few days. You did not mention in what part of Scotland sister Annie's children were. I would like to write to them. GIve my love to Mrs DUmaresq and to the children, and I remain my dear James
- Your affectionate brother
- Philip Dumaresq
Extract from a Letter from James Dumaresq, of Swan Island, to his Son-in-Law, Lieut Colonel Thomas Handasyde Perkins
- Swan Island, 9 March 1825
My Dear Sir
Your letter, under date of 21st February, I have the pleasure to acknowledge. It affords me much gratification that you have had such recent accounts of Phil. We count much on seeing him this summer, as you have not informed us that you have countermanded the orders you sent him to return by the first ship. Your building him a vessel to take charge of should he remain at Canton, convinces me that his behavior has been sufficiently deserving of commendation to entitle him to the confidence of the House. With regard to my brother Philip, about 20 years ago, Mr Vaughan writing to his brother at Hallowell, mentioned the particulars of his death. He was then a commander in the Royal Navy, and was drowned by the upsetting of his boat, going on a visit to his friends at Southampton. His body was recovered, and he was buried there. I have enclosed two of his letters for your perusal. The last I received from him is mislaid or destroyed. In it he mentions that he had been staying at Pelham Place, with Rear Admiral Dumaresq.
The Captain Dumaresq you mention might have been a son of the Admiral's, but he had no son when I was in England. He had two daughters, however, one of whom married Lord Pawlet, and another Captain Seward of the army. Miss Seward was the fortunate poetess who received the prize medal for writing the best poetical eulogy on the death of Garrick. I used to spend my vacations alternately between Admiral Dumaresq at Pelham Place and my Aunt Fanny's at Southampton.
Mrs Merrick of Hallowell thinks Lord Saumerez married my father's sister; but I know that she is mistaken, for I have always understood that he was a nephew of my father's. My cousin Robert Gardiner telle me that Aunt Browne, wife of Colonel Arthur Browne, whose father was Earl of Altamont, had a daughter Louisa, who married Lord Hood. I am inclined to think that he was a son of Earl Admiral Hood, who commanded the Barfleur 98 guns, and was second in command under Rodney, when he cut to pieces the French fleet under the Count de Grass, on the memorable 12th of April. Captain Dumaresq commanded the Repulse, 64 guns, in the action, and was afterwards appointed to the Alfred, 74, in which ship I embarked as a Midshipman.
Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence, was a Midshipman on board the Barfleur. I knew him pretty well. He was a red headed, knock kneed, young fellow, with so much arrogance as hardly to be made pliable to the severity of naval discipline. I have been thus explicit in writing on naval matters, as I understand that you think of putting your son into the navy. Now if you should prefer the English to the American Navy, it is more than possible that, in the course of his career, he would find some of his connectons of no inferior grade, who would doubtless be disposed to promote his interest. With best love to F and L
- I remain with kindest regards
- James Dumaresq
