Field Marshal Charles Lennox Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

CHARLES LENNOX (1735-1806), the Third Duke of Richmond, was known as the Earl of March before inheriting the ducal title in 1750. During the Seven Years War, as a colonel commanding the 33rd Regiment of Foot, he fought in the Raid on Cherbourg and in the Battle of Minden (1759), a great British victory. In 1765, he became Ambassador to France, and joined the Privy Council the same year. In debates leading up to the American Revolution, he showed great sympathy for the colonists, even advocating withdrawal of British troops. He also advocated concessions to Ireland, and parliamentary reforms to include universal male suffrage. After joining the government of Prime Minister William Pitt, however, he became much more conservative, repudiating his earlier calls for reform. In 1782, he was made a Field Marshal and Master of the Ordnance. In that capacity he wrote this letter, which must have been addressed to Captain (later Admiral) John Jervis. On April 21, 1782, Jarvis as captain of the HMS Foudroyant, fought and captured the 74-gun ship of the line Pégase, the lead French warship of its class. For this he was honored as a Knight of the Bath. The exploits of Jervis, dating back to the Seven Years War, culminated in his great victory over the French fleet in the Battle of Cape St Vincent (1797), and he served with distinction as an admiral through the long wars with France to 1815. After retiring from public service, the Duke of Richmond built the famed Goodwood race course, and became a major patron of the arts.