Our Man in Genoa and the Great Siege of Gibraltar: John Collet in 1780-1781

 

In another post on this site ( https://www.otherpeoplesletters.com/2026/07/getting-troops-home-at-end-of.html  )  I draw attention to the fact that in the past British officials sometimes treated what would we would think of as official letters as at least in part, and perhaps wholly, as personal correspondence and retained them to be passed to descendants, if any, or sold off at their death. This may explain why the two letters transcribed below are not in public archives. Alternatively, and perhaps more likely in this case, these are letters of which duplicates were sent at the time in hope that at least one would arrive; at a later date if more than one copy of a letter did arrive it may have been weeded and disposed of as surplus to archival requirements.

Both letters are written by John Collet, British Consul in Genoa until his death there in 1786 and addressed to John Raleigh, Secretary to the Town and Garrison of Gibraltar during the Great Siege of Gibraltar 1779-1783 conducted by Spain and France. They bear no postal markings and would have been sent by private arrangement with an available ship, not necessarily a Royal Navy one as the reference to Podesta indicates.

Podesta captained a civilian ship with a mixed nationality crew but operating under a British pass which afforded it a right to British protection. The writer refers to its capture by the “Turks” alluding to the fact that Algiers was nominally part of the Ottoman Empire though operating at least semi-independently. In the first letter, Collet indicates that he is signing off on the departure of ships as if to enemy Cadiz or officially neutral Lisbon though really intended for the relief of Gibraltar. He states that Podesta “will make an attempt soon” and it is this attempt which failed, as the second letter indicates. So these two letters add a little detail to the Podesta story.

At some point, both letters suffered what I take to be water damage, one has had its wax seal torn out. But the docketing notes show that both arrived.

 

Transcriptions

Letter One 1780

Addressed: To John Raleigh Esqr Secretary to the Towen & Garrison of Gibraltar

Datelined: Genoa 27^th June 1780

Docketing note: 1780 Genoa 27 June

Dear Sir

I received your favour of 5^th Feby & wish I cou’d have executed Mrs Raleigh’s Commission [but?] no Vessels can afford the exhorbitant Insurances demanded, some tho’ have attempted thro’ my instigation clear’d out for Cadiz, or Lisbon, but have been stopt by the Ennemies Cruizers. Podesta will make an attempt soon, wish he may succeed [see next letter for the outcome]. I shou’d take it as a particular favour if You wou’d write me as any occasion offers that may know how You go on.

Pray present my humble Respects to the Governor & Lieut Gocvernor. The Toulon fleet was to sail on the 18^th Inst with eight & twen[ty] transports suppos’d for Cadiz.

My kindest salutes wait on [Mrs] Raleigh & do You believe me to be Sir

Your must Obdt & Hble J. Collet

J.Raleigh Esqr.

 

Letter Two 1781

Addressed: To John Raleigh Esqr   Secretary to the Town & Garrison of Gibraltar

Datelined: Genoa the 21^st Febr 1781

Docketing note: Genoa 21 Febr 81

Sir

In my former Letters I had the honour to send you Coppies of Several Letters I wrote you via Mahone [Port Mahon, Menorca under British control until 1782] as likewise of others deliv’d here to some Masters of  Vessels bound to your place several of which have been oblig’d to dispose of their Cargoes on the Coast of Spain, some have been taken by the Spaniards & poor Podesta by the Turks & carried into Algiers, as allready advis’d you of, his poor wife & the families of the Crew  aboard have presented me the Inclosed petition [not present now] to send you & to lay the same before His Excellency’s Clemency – heartily wishing may have the desired effect, assuring you their misfortune is much lamented in this place, & the more for having the Maditerreanean … in such ….. My humble respects to His Excell & General Elliott & to Lieut. Govr. Boyd & Compliments to Mrs Raleigh I am with great truth Sir

Your most Obed & Hble, Servt   John Collet

 

To John Raleigh Esqr

References

Roy and Lesley Adkins, Gibraltar The Greatest Siege in British History (2017)