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AMHERST, JEFFERY

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AMHERST, JEFFERY
(1717 - 1797) British Major General who captured Louisbourg from the French in 1758. Served as Governor General of British North America but left the office due to Pointiac's Rebellion and later served as colonial Governor of Virginia. An interesting piece, an A.L.S. "J. Amherst" at the end of an entertaining A.L.S of his brother WILLIAM AMHERST, 4pp. legal folio, New York, Oct. 26, 1762 to William's wife, Bess upon William's triumphant return to New York after retaking Newfoundland from French forces. Jeffrey writes in part: "...I am greatly obliged to you for all your Letters, I feasted on them 'til William returned with his Laurels, he has done, as I was sure he would, very well...". William's letter begins with a long poem and then a letter to his wife, in part: "...Upon my return from Newfoundland on the 19th. of this month, my Brother gave me your packet of poetry & letters, which had taken him up at least 24 hours to get through...[I] thank you for the amusement it gave me...". He then relates a story of a Major under Jeffrey Amherst's command: "...His name is Moncsiffe. he has answered your poetry in the beginning of this sheet, which I copied from his Scrawl...He was formerly a very fat man, but now drawn fine by a southern Climate, however he is filling again as fast as he can in this climate to save him the charge of altering his clothes which were made for him in his fat days. He chews a great quantity of Tobacco & takes it in by large mouthfuls which he rakes about with his tongue behind his under lip...He was laid up at Martinique with a fever & one day he was taken as the Physicians thought with the Black Vomit [underlined] & given over. He recovered however to their surprise & 'tis imagine that what they took for the Black Vomit, was only a old Chew of Tobacco, which he had laid down with & kept in his mouth 'till that time...". Usual folds, light soiling, otherwise very good condition.