Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Francis Vincent.

Diplomat. Three pages, 4to, poor condition but most of the text legible. "Private". Rumbold discusses the reception of a petition he sent to "Mr Fen[?]" saying that he is to get "immediate indemnification for the losses & expenses occasioned by the seizure of my Person, my imprisonment &c". Vincent is giving him support. He encloses his account, anticipates delay by the Treasury in paying but enlists his correspondent's help. His case was a cause celebre of the time, described in DNB as follows: "On the night of 25 Oct. 1804 a detachment of two hundred and fifty French troops landed in boats on the Hamburg Berg, proceeded to the Grindel, Rumbold's country residence, forced the door, and compelled him to deliver up his papers. He was then carried to Hanover in a guarded coach, and thence to Paris. After a day's confinement in the Temple, he was conveyed to Cherbourg, and put on board a French cutter sailing under flag of truce. By this vessel he was delivered to the English frigate Niobe, in which he arrived at Portsmouth.The order for Rumbold's arrest came direct from Fouché in Paris, and was addressed to Marshal Bernadotte. Fouché's despatch charged Rumbold with having avowed a plan of conspiracy, and directed that he should be treated as any other Englishman ‘who should adopt criminal practices.’ In Berlin great indignation was expressed, and the Prussian minister at Paris was ordered, in demanding Rumbold's release, to apply for his own passports in case of delay or evasion. An autograph letter of Napoleon promised compliance with the demand. Rumbold was replaced at Hamburg in 1806. He died of fever at Memel on 15 Dec. 1807."