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Correspondence with related papers between Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melviile, and Robert Saunders Dundas, 2nd Viscount, as First Lords of the Admiralty, and Admiral George Keith Elphinstone, Viscount Keith, largely during his commands in the Mediterranean, 1798-1802, and the North Sea and Channel, 1803-1815.

 Series
Identifier: MSS.9733-9734

Scope and Contents

The correspondence is semi-official in nature, consisting of reports by Keith on the dispositions of his ships, tactics, manning, armament, and stores, with many replies of the Lords Melville. Particular subjects include: attempts to block Boulogne harbour, and the use of Robert Fulton's new weapons, 1804; projected attacks on French ships in Atlantic harbours, 1812-1814; and much discussion of the activities of Sir Home Popham's squadron aiding Wellington's army and the Spanish guerillas off the northern coasts of Spain, and later in French waters, 1812-1814.

Dates

  • Creation: 1797-1815.

Conditions Governing Access

Normal access conditions apply.

Conditions Governing Use

Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.

Extent

2 Volumes ; Folio and under.

Language of Materials

Undetermined

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Bought, 1963.

Bibliography

Several of the letters of Keith and the Melvilles have been published from the originals and copies in the Keith Papers, National Maritime Museum, in ‘The Keith papers’, edited by C Lloyd, volumes ii and iii (Navy Records Society, 1950, 1955).
Title
National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
Author
National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
Description rules
International Standard for Archival Description - General
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository

Contact:
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700