WHYTE'S THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR SATURDAY & SUNDAY 25 & 26 July 2020

30 History 31 1798. The landing on Arranmore and Rutland islands of a French and Irish force commanded by Napper Tandy. A contemporaneous copy of the deposition by John Turner, a merchant on Rutland sworn before Captain Shearman on the capture of Napper Tandy, 4 pages, paper watermarked Buttanshaw/ 1794, quarto, Enniskillen, 17 September [1798]. The manuscript gives a detailed description of the landing, the movements of the invading force, the disappointed reaction of the French officers who had expected 20,000 men to land in a few days. Adjutant-General Sir George Hewett; Thence by descent; Bonhams, London, 26 June 2019, lot 17; Private collection. Condition: Very good, no apparent faults. It is highly probable that this would have landed on Hewett’s desk, if anything to ascertain any connection between the various French attempts, and Tone and Tandy’s actions. Tandy had been despatched by the French from Dunkirk to lead a small expedition (circa 200 men), made up mostly of Irishmen, which had eluded several British vessels and arrived at Rutland Bay in Donegal on 17 September, 1798. The enthusiastic reception by the local people was downplayed by local officials, making this deposition most interesting. Tandy, possibly and probably inebriated, issued a vainglorious proclamation, : ‘Liberty or Death’. Learning of Humbert’s surrender he promptly re-embarked the next day, after settling his debts with locals and adhering to his orders, to respect persons and property, and pay for all provisions. Sources: Marianne Elliott, Partners In Revolution, The United Irishmen and France, 1989; Dictionary Of Irish Biography. Captain Shearman is not mentioned in either of these, nor is he in Pakenham’s Year Of Liberty. Dr Sylvie Kleinman, March 2020 Estimate €500-€700 (approx £450-£640) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 31