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The Thornton Collection of Manuscripts and Plans
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Copy correspondence of letters from James Dalyell to his father, Sir James Dalyell.

1833-1837 Written from Tarbes, Hautes Pyrenees. Continued attempts to find employment remain unsuccessful. There are further descriptions of France, which are often more derogatory when made to Sir James than when made to other correspondents. In December 1834 he mentions a book called Darker Superstitions of Scotland by John Graham Dalyell (later 6th Bart), which he hopes to read soon. In 1834 Dalyell says he will "set off in search of a wife". The letters also contain details of contemporary navy pay and procedures. The letter dated 5 November 1836 contains a summary of Dalyell's navy career hitherto, and includes his attitude to the use of the lash on board naval vessels. In the course of this letter Dalyell refers to Captain Hunn of the 'Tweed' as "one of the greatest Tartars in the Service", and recalls an occasion when he wished to flog a whole watch of about 100 men. The letter also contains a vivid description of his adventure in capturing the Spanish pirates in Cuba. There are copies of letters exchanged between James and J. & T. Stilwell & Sons, Navy Agents London, regarding financial affairs. (1836). [48 pages]

Copy correspondence of James Dalyell to his father

(1-13) Copy correspondence of James Dalyell to his father, c.1836-1840, mainly from Tarbes, Hautes Pyrenees, concerning Dalyell's hopes of return to naval employment and his continuing financial difficulties together with two letters (1840) from James Dalyell at Buckie to his father, concerning the above matters and describing his life and duties at the coast guard station. Also some correspondence (1840) between Dalyell and his father regarding a proposed meeting between the two. Includes: (9) 20 November 1824, Port Royal, Jamaica. James Dalyell to his father concerning efforts to secure Dalyell's promotion and mentioning that he has already written on the subject to Lt. Col. [Robert] Dalyell: (7) (i) 1 June 1836 (copy) James Dalyell to his father including announcement of the birth of a son.

Miscellaneous correspondence of James Dalyell, with some correspondence of John James Dalyell.

(1-15) Copy correspondence of James Dalyell and John Nimmo, Paris, 1832-1834, with some copy correspondence of Nimmo to Dalyell. Letters are mainly written from Tours and Tarbes. In them Dalyell describes his environment, financial problems, impressions of the countryside etc. Dalyell also comments on his progress with some entries to be included in a Travellers' Guide to France, published by M. Galignani, Paris. The letters also contain observations on current events, including riots in Paris and Lyons, serious outbreaks of cholera spreading from Spain, the "Civil War" (Carlist War) beginning in Spain, and the coming to power of Robert Peel. In (11) Dalyell gives his reaction to his half-brother, Francis Aubert, revealing their relationship to a mutual acquaintance. It also expresses his bitter feelings following a rejection by his mother in Paris. Dalyell asks Nimmo to send him a Burgess's Patent Paneidolon, "a newly invented instrument for enabling persons ... to make very clever sketches". (16-23) Copy correspondence of James Dalyell to Charles Ducombs. 1832-1836: James Dalyell to Charles Ducombs, includes plans for a walking tour in the summer of 1833. 1832-1833 James Dalyell to Ducombs, mainly concerning their respective financial affairs, particularly a dispute over money allegedly owed James by Mme. Ducombs. 1836. (24-45) Copy correspondence of James Dalyell to J. & T. Stilwell & Co, Navy Agents, London, 1835-1838. Letters concern Dalyell's financial situation in France, and his requests for the handling of his half pay from the Royal Navy. (46-49) Copy correspondence between James Dalyell and Lieutenant W.A. Ferrar of HM Coast Guard Service, 1838. Dalyell requests information about the Coast Guard Service for a friend, and eventually applies to enlist himself. (48) contains some of Dalyell's memories of Napoleon's last days on St. Helena (1821) including his opinion on the conduct of Sir Hudson Lowe, the island's Governor, towards his prisoner, and the journey aboard 'HMS Heron', which was sent back to Britain to deliver the news of Napoleon's death. Dalyell comments that he doesn't tell any French acquaintances of his presence on St. Helena, for "his worshippers would look upon me with an evil eye were they to know". (50-71) Correspondence and copy correspondence between the Dalyell and Aubert families, 1853, 1857, 1863-1867, 1870. The letters are mostly written between Francis Aubert Jnr and James Dalyell or John James Dalyell; but there are also some written between James and Francis Snr, his half-brother, and from Felicite Aubert to Marie Anne Dalyell, their respective wives: (50-54) Mme. Aubert to Mrs Dalyell (in French) and M. Aubert Snr to James Dalyell. 1853. (55-56) Francis Aubert Snr to James, on the topic of John James' accident on a steam ship and other family news. In (56) Francis comments on "the horrid and execrable doings among our poor countrymen in India", a reference to the Cawnpore massacre of June 27. 1857/ (57-70) Correspondence between Francis Aubert Jnr and John James and James Dalyell. Includes the announcement of the death of Aubert Snr. Also includes information on the marriage of Francis Jnr to Clemence Quentin; his work as a journalist in Paris, which brought him honorary knighthoods from both Denmark and Mexico; speculation on political events in North and South America. (70) contains some reminiscences of Mexico from James. 1863-1865. (71) 29 August 1870. Francis Aubert Jnr to John James Dalyell. Written in Paris at the time of the Franco-Prussian war, and near the end of what had been a disastrous month for France. Aubert commands on the current situation, claiming "nothing is lost". The letter dismisses suggestions that France will soon be defeated and Paris taken. The people of the capital are "armed and ready for a desperate defence". Aubert then says that he has just heard that the Prussian's are on the road to Paris, "If so ... the battle will soon take place with McMahon"; he hopes for the defeat and humiliation of "those brutal beastlike conquerors", saying "such are the feelings which almost all Frenchmen foster now". Aubert mentions the possibility of being drafted "if a new disaster were to fall upon us". He then describes the preparations made around Paris to prevent its capture. He refers to articles in the London Times as "impudent, cynical lies", and says that newspaper is "fallen to the last degree of contempt"; he trusts the Scots would repulse "such mercenary liars". The letter ends with the wish that "God exterminate both the French and the Prussians to the last man and to the last child rather than let Europe be the prey of the beastly murderers of Denmark and Austria".

Bundle of letters from James Dalyell, father, (mostly near Linlithgow) to James Dalyell, son, (mostly in the care of Mr. Tanner, Chatham).

Mentions his bother, H. I. Dalyell. He seems to be quite angry with Dalyell as he keeps asking for money and is not doing anything with his life; he fears Dalyell is getting into debt. Dalyell (son) is now working on a ship which pleases his father.
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