** PARIS (THE TEMPLE PRISON) - EX J.W. WRIGHT ABOUT HIS BEIN...

Hammer

£400

** PARIS (THE TEMPLE PRISON) - EX J.W. WRIGHT ABOUT HIS BEING KEPT "SECRET" & AWAY FROM "SIR SIDNEY SMITH"; Very fine 24 Nov. 1796 EL (unsealed; sent within the Prison) written in french and signed by "J[ohn]. W[esley]. Wright" to "M. Lasne, Prepose a la Garde [Prison Governor] du Temple" repeating his complaint against being kept "au Secret et de me priver de la societe de [Admiral] Sir Sidney Smith". Both men had been captured earlier that year off the coast of France [ex Wikipedia]; "After nearly two years on the coast of France, he was with Smith on the night of 18/19 April 1796, when both were taken prisoner. His confidential relations to Smith secured him the particular attentions of the French government; he was sent with Smith to Paris, was confined in the Temple as a close prisoner, was repeatedly examined as to Smith's designs, and finally effected his escape with Smith in May 1798". Rare letter from an early - and famous - POW in the Temple. Cross Reference: AUTOGRAPHS, NAVAL MAIL, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, FRANCE