 FOR THE APPREHENSION OF A MAJOR JACOBITE
1. WALPOLE, Robert.
A fine autograph letter addressed to the Magistrate Henry Currer ordering him as commanded by His Majesty in Council to search in the neighbourhood of Skipton, Yorkshire for the Jacobite Spy, John Sample
London, Sects. Office, Cockpit , March 30th 1722 (ie 1723) .
4to., a letter of 15 lines written in a neat hand, complete with integral address leaf with partial postage mark and remains of seal, has been folded for mailing.
A letter of major importance and central to the Atterbury Conspiracy. It is addressed to the Magistrate Henry Currer of Kildwick Hall (believed by some to have been the model for Heathcliffe's residence in Bronte's "Wuthering Heights") ordering him to apprehend the Jacobite agitator John Sample ( or Semple) following the latters escape from custody at the Great Almonry, Westminster. Sempill was a known confidante of Francis Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester and a leading High Tory. Information had been received that he was hiding in the neighbourhood of Skipton with "some of his disaffected Confederates". In the previous year a Royal Proclamation had been issued on the 6th August offering a reward of £500 for his apprehension. This was followed the next day by a further Proclamation doubling the reward to £1000. Clearly the apprehension of this Jacobite was of major importance. We are of the opinion that this letter, although the original warrant as sent from Sir Robert Walpole, is in secretary hand.
£900.00 | Enquire
|
