- MS 17/9/2
- Item
- 1823-1833
1823-1827 Written on board ships, mainly from the West Indies. James requests his father to use any influence he has to help secure promotion and further his career. The letters include details of his service and activities and his hope for advancement. He most wants a position in command of a schooner, since they are "most actively employed against Pirates and the abolition of slavery", hence they give most opportunity for "Prize Money"; the captain of the schooner can also charge commission on any freight taken aboard. Dalyell ended this period of his career aboard 'HMS Tweed', and could not get re-employed at sea as had been his wish. 1827-1833 Written from a variety of locations in France, including Versailles, Paris, Montmorency, Tours, Tarbes. These letters contain accounts of Dalyell's continued financial problems, his plans to re-join the Navy, his physical ailments, and his impressions of France and the French. In the spring of 1830 he proposed to marry the daughter of "An Irish Widow Lady of some considerable fortune", but her mother turned him down, "to the utmost discomfort of the young lady". In August 1832 he asks Sir James to enquire about employment in a Merchant Shipping Establishment or in Customs. In October 1833 Dalyell speculates on a possible French invasion of Spain if a Civil War should arise there, "The French are in their glory at the unfortunate state of Spain ..." Sir James forbade James to return to Britain, despite not having seen him since 1817. The letters are liberally sprinkled with references to James' need to draw on his father's account. [69 pages]