here - Ashley Baynton-Williams

WEST INDIES
128
Very Scarce Map Of The Theatre Of War In The Ear Of Jenkins'
Ear
FOSTER, George.
'The Seat of the War in the WEST INDIES, containing New &
Accurate Plans of the HAVANA, LA VERA CRUZ,
CARTAGENA and PUERTO BELLO (taken from Spanish
draughts) also of SAN AUGUSTIN and the Bay of Honda in
Cuba; with Prospects of the two first, one by Adm.l Vernon the
other by Cap.t Pearson: likewise a Chart or Map of the West
Indies, exhibiting the Situation of those and other noted Ports,
with respect to the Gulf of Florida; the course of the Galleons
and Flota, which are under a necessity of passing thro this Gulf
in their re- turn to Europe; the Windward Passage & the Parts
where the Guarda Costas hover to intercept our Ships; in order
to demonstrate that the Havana is the only Place the possession of which can possibly secure our Trade to
the West Indies, and prevent the Spanish depredations.' 'E. Bowen Sc.' 'Publish'd pursuant to Act of
Parliament Feb 9. 1739/40 by G. Foster at the White Horse in S.t Pauls Church Yard.'
London: George Foster, Feb. 9 1740; copperplate engraving, the West Indies: 169 x 301
outer border: 398 x 469 platemark: 428 x 480 mm, in later hand colour. The paper is lightly toned, with a few
short tears into the printed area restored, one area of loss affecting the title, reinstated in manuscript.
This composite map-sheet of the West Indies was issued to cater to public interest in the region, prompted
by the 'War Of Jenkins' Ear' (1739-1748), and comprises a general map of the West Indies, and inset plans of
the most important Spanish sea-ports of the region, which were likely to be the target of English military
operations. Foster clearly felt that it was in England's interests to take an aggressive role - a note in the map
reads: "The Spaniards being possessed of all the Islands & Outlets next ye Ocean the best & indeed only Way
to secure our Navigation in the American Seas, will be to Seize some Port or Ports commanding ye entrance
of ye Gulf of Florida thro' which all their ships are obliged to pass in their return to Europe; and it appears
from ye above chart that the Havana is the only Port in ye West Indies fit for the purpose."
Not recorded on COPAC or the British Library, but present in the British Library. £1,500
129
Very Scarce Plan Of The British Capture Of St. Lucia
FADEN, William Jr.
'SKETCH of Part of the Island of S.TE LUCIE, Compiled at about
2500 feet to an Inch.' 'London Publish'd Nov. 5 1781, by W.m Faden
Charing Cross.'
[manuscript note:] 'Made and Drawn by Lt. G.V. Hart 46.th Reg.t
Assistant Engineer whilst in North America.'
London: William Faden Jr., Nov. 5th 1781; copperplate engraving,
border: 380 x 483 widest: 384 x 481 platemark: 403 x 500 widest,
with text: 477 x 485mm, in black and white. The paper heavily
water-stained at right, with some strengthening, principally
affecting paper outside the platemark.
In November 1778, a British fleet set out to attack the French
possession of St. Lucia, arriving there on 12th December. Without
delay, the British attacked the French naval base at Cul de Sac, and quickly captured the place. No sooner
was the place captured - perhaps a matter of an hour according to the text - than the French fleet
commanded by Admiral d'Estaing, with 9,000 soldiers, arrived. On the 15th, d'Estaing attacked the British
fleet but was driven off. He then landed his troops to attack the British from the interior, but these attacks
were also repulsed, and d'Estaing forced to abandon St. Lucia. Below the map is printed 'EXTRACTS from
General GRANT'S Letter to Lord GEORGE GERMAIN, dated Mourne Fortuné, Ste. Lucie, Dec. 31st, 1778. ...'
Although anonymous, this example of the map, and the next item, both bear the note that the map was
originally drawn by George Vaughan Hart, an Irishman in the 46th Regiment who was appointed
Aide-de-Camp to General James Grant in the invasion of St. Lucia, and who drew an accomplished
manuscript map - 'A Sketch of Part of the Island of S.te Lucie, taken by the Troops under the Command of
Maj.r General Iames Grant, in December 1778 ... [signed] G.H.' - which was the source of this printed map,
the finest contemporary plan of the campaign.
Nebenzahl: Printed Battle Plan Of The American Revolution, 150, variant issue with text. £1,250
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