[Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Wars] Autograph Letter Signed from Richard Truscott, purser of HMS Ocean, to James Sykes, London navy agent, discussing anomalies in the ‘Accounts for the Ocean’ and his recent travels.

Providing an interesting view of the administrative aspect of the Georgian navy. Closely and neatly written on 2pp, foolscap 8vo, on first leaf of a bifolium. 64 lines of text. The letter is signed ‘R Truscott’, but the docketing identifies the writer as ‘Richd. Truscott’. Adressed on reverse of second leaf, with red wax seal and two Plymouth postmarks, to ‘James Sykes Esqr. / Navy Agent / Arundel Street / London’. Around this address are the docketing and some calculations. The seal has a good impression of the crest of ‘RT’, with motto ‘PEACE AND PLENTY’. It seems odd that a purser would have such a seal, and it may suggest that Truscott was one of the six sons of Admiral William Truscott (1734-1798), three of whom went into the Royal Navy. (In December 1802 the Navy Chronicle reported that 'The Lords of the Admiralty have appointed Richard Truscott, Esq. late Purser of the Suffolk, to be Purser of his Majesty's ship the Achille'.) On aged and worn paper, with chipping to edges, but text clear and complete. Folded into the customary packet for postage. The letter begins: ‘Dear Sir / I was favored with Yours of 4th February Instant p[er] the Royal Sovereign giving me the Agreeable Intelligence of my Accounts for the Ocean having been pass’d, inclosing me at the same time a Copy of the Office Account by which I find the Ballance is £808 .. 2 .. 8 and after having examined throughout I have to remark as follows’. He continues with observations and complaints, with reference to ‘the Tobacco Account’, ‘the Muster Books’, ‘Sundry Neccessaries such as Coals, and Candles’, ‘the Victualling Office Portmahon’. The second paragraph concerns ‘The Bullock they have charged me with [which] died on his passage from the Transport to the Ocean’, which was 'regurly [sic] Survey'd, and found to be putried [sic], and not fit for Men to ate [sic] and therefore it was Skinned and cut up into Quarters, was returned to the V. O.' There is also mention of 'five Sheep' In the third paragraph he states that he has ‘wrote to Mrs. Truscott by the Eagle’, and that he has ‘requested her to call on you, and give the Instructions for the Investment of my Ballance Bill’. The last third of the letter is dated ‘Ocean Command Bay 2nd: July 1814’. Begins: ‘At the time of my writing this Lre, [sic] I had not the most distant Idea of being the happy bearer of it my self we left Portmahan 26th: May, got to Gibraltar on the 8th: June; sailed from thence on 11th: June with a fair Wind to carry us through the Gutt and had the pleasure of arriving here this Instant, in company with the Royal George (Vice Admiral Rickmore) and the Union the other two Ships that came home in Co: with us, are you on to Portsmouth; the Prince of Wales and the Barfleur the latter to be paid off at Chatham’. He continues with rumours about their plans, with reference to ‘Pradique’ and ‘Admiral Dometts Flag Ship’. He states: ‘we have heard of the great Promotion, and they say that there has certainly taken place, an Increse [sic] of pay as well to Lieutts:, as Pursers, if so, be pleased to give me the particulars of the plan p[er] return of Post.’ He is paying in various bills (‘J: Clementson’, ‘Capt: Plumper’, ‘Majo Fay’, ‘Geo: Kempsten Esqr:’, and ends with ‘Compliments to your whole House’. A postscript concerns bills he has drawn ‘on you at my departure from Mahon’.