English explorer (1764–1848). Cape Barrow, Point Barrow and Barrow Strait are named for him. LS signed “Jn Barrow,” one page, 7.75 x 12.5, October 14, 1835. Letter to Rear Admiral Sir G. E. Hamond Bt. KCB. In full: “I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admirality to transmit to you herewith a Copy of a letter from the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with copies of the Papers therin referred to respecting the conduct of certain naval officers on the occassion of the French ship ‘Pierre Louis’ on the 12 Feby last, off the Falkland Islands, and I am to desire that you will make known to the officers mentioned the communication which has been received from the French Government.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds, a few small ink notations and marks, and a bit of scattered light soiling.
Accompanied by official handwritten clerical copies of letters concerning the shipwreck. In fact three shipwrecks, the French whaling ship ‘Louis Pierre,’ and an American and a British schooner. One letter is an account of the wrecking of the Louis Pierre as told by its Captain. In part (translated): “As soon as I returned to my country, duty, honor and gratitude compel me to inform Your Excellency of the generous manner in which I, my officers, and the sailors under my orders were received and treated by the officers of His Britannic Majesty following the shipwreck that reduced us to the most wretched extremity. On 24 February in the morning, with high North winds and a thick fog which prevented me from standing up to the wind and determining the position which the force of the currents had dragged me to, l found myself flung in the midst of reefs in which my ship was shipwrecked. In my conscience, M. le Ministre, I know that in this disastrous circumstance I did all that was humanly possibly whether it was trying to prevent the danger, overcoming it, or avoiding its most deplorable consequences. My ship was totally lost, but I had the good fortune to save, in the midst of a terrible sea, my numerous crew and to soften as far as I could, their truly desperate situation…The Officers of that Ship not only gave us a place at their table, but didn’t even want to accept any compensation and declared to us that the shipwrecked Frenchmen were brothers and that as such they were happy to have done for us what we would have done for them in similar circumstances.” Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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