£500
** THE 7 YEARS WAR - FONTENILLE CORRESPONDENCE - PLYMOUTH P.O.W. CAMP COVER TO FRANCE; 12 Apr. 1762 EL (full typed transcript; 'magic' sellotape just affecting top right corner of address - needs to be removed) from "Fontenille" while a POW in "Plymouth" to his uncle in Floransac charged "30" (20 sols London to Paris + 10 sols on to Floransac) with a manuscript "Angleterre" on the front. The writer says that he has just (6 April) arrived from Madras with 5 other officers of his Regiment; "Two English vessels carried 90 French Officers, advisers & staff. Our voyage was very hard, both in relation to food, and in relation to the small comforts that were taken from us. In our six-month crossing, we only had one 15-day break - in St. Helena. Despite the fatigue, we only lost one person, and a cavalry officer who went mad; we were looted and our belongings stolen when we boarded at Madras. None of us have a sou. The King of France has withdrawn the subsistence which he gives to captive officers, with the result that not one of us knows where to turn. The King of England gives a shilling, which is worth in France 22 Sols money, but one cannot live on that. We hope for a speedy return to our dear homeland. The cartel [fleet] is being prepared, so our stay in this country will not be long. I have scurvy, like all my comrades, to the tips of my teeth. I had the honour of writing to you upon the capture of Pondicherry [see previous lot], by Mr. de Jumiliac, who wanted to take care of my letters...". A wonderful insight into the plight of POWs taken from India to England. [See MFPWE, p. 50.] Cross Reference: DEVON, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, ST. HELENA, INDIA
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