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Auction: 8029 - Soldiers' Rates of the BE - Gerald Sattin Collection
Lot: 158

India 1772 (c. June/July) entire letter written by Sergeant Joshua Radcliffe of the 1st. Madras Regiment of Infantry from Trichinopoly to England, showing "25/OC"Bishopmark, watery "BD" receivers mark and manuscript "1772" on reverse and with "4" charge mark for UK inland postage on face panel, the contents include "I have a small quantity of Prize Money now depending in a few months with the Reduction of the Kingdom of Tanjour" and concludes with a postscript "Direct to me in the 1st. Rgt. On the Coast of Coromondall". Overall age soiling and some other lesser faults though a fascinating very early letter regarding Prize Money after the attack on Tanjore Estimate £ 400-500 Note: In June 1772, the Nawab of the Carnatic, who coveted the fort and Province of Tanjore, persuaded the Madras Government to help him in an attack on Tanjore on the pretext of non-payment of arrears of tribute. He bribed the Madras Army by guaranteeing to pay prize money, from General to Private, on the capture and deliverance of the fort. This was effected on 17th. September. The 1st. Regiment Madras Infantry formed part of the force under Brigadier-General Joseph Smith assembling at Trichinoploy for the attack Until 1774 all mail in the Madras Presidency was carried free of charge to Fort St. George. The above letter was transported to London by an East India "Packet" as no ship captain´´s gratuity of 1d. was charged on arrival in London.. A fee of 4d. was paid by the recipient for carrying the letter by post to Yorkshire, as required by a London GPO Notice of 1st. May 1763

Sold for
£850