1738 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT LETTER REGARDING THE BARBAROUS AND CRUEL TREATMENT OF A CASTAWAY DUTCH VESSEL

ON OFFER AN AUTOGRAPHED MANUSCRIPT LETTER HANDWRITTEN AND SIGNED, DATED LONDON, MARCH 30, 1738 BY LIEUTENANT H. HOP, ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY TO ENGLAND FROM THE STATES-GENERAL. IT READS AS FOLLOWS.MY LORD, I DO MYSELF THE HONOUR TO LAY BEFORE YOUR EXCELLENCY THE COPY OF A LETTER WHICH I RECEIVED LAST NIGHT MENTIONING GREAT VIOLENCE COMMITTED TOWARD A DUTCH VESSEL THAT HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO BE CASTAWAY ON THESE COASTS. THESE ARE MY LORD CRUELTIES AND INHUMANITY UNHEARD EVEN AMONGST THE MOST BARBAROUS NATIONS; I TAKE THEREFORE THE LIBERTY TO DECLINE YOUR EXCELLENCY TO BE PLEASED TO EMPLOY HIS GOOD OFFICER THAT READY AND EFFICACIOUS ORDER MAY BE GIVEN THAT WHAT HAVE BEEN ROBBED BE RESTORED TO THE PROPRIETARY (TO THE OWNER) AND THAT THE AUTHOR OF SUCH EXCESSES AND VIOLENCE BE PUNISHED IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER TO THAT FOR THE FUTURE THOSE THAT SHALL HAVE THE MISFORTURN TO BE CAST ON THESE COASTS MAY FIND THE NECESSARY AID AND ASSISTANCE AND WHICH ONE IS TO EXPECT FROM SUCH A CHARITABLE AND CIVILIZED NATION AS THE ENGLISH ARE. I HAVE THE HONOUR TO BE YOUR, LT. HOP, LONDON THE 30 OF MARCH 1738, 10 OF APRIL. THIS 8" X 12" RAG PAPER LETTER IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION SHOWING 3 FAINT FOLDS AND HAVING A CLEAN 1" TEAR ON THE CENTER FOLD.