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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02549.18 |
| From Archive Folder | David and Isabella Dundas letters |
| Title | David Dundas to James Dundas discussing their brother Ralph's prospects of fighting at Yorktown |
| Date | 20 November 1781 |
| Author | Dundas, David, Sir, Bart (1749-1826) |
| Recipient | Dundas, James |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Discusses some family news, commenting on his separation from his wife. Thanks James for his work on a seal (also discusses in GLC02549.16), but asks him not to send it until after the lottery, fearing it might be stolen. Comments on the status of their brother Ralph Dundas, Captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, in America. Notes that in his last letter, Ralph was at Yorktown preparing for battle. By the time he is writing this he expects the battle to have been decided but does not know the outcome. Indicates that "people here differ much in opinion about what may be expected. I rather think the Fleet will have no Battle." Speculates on the dire consequences if the French Count de Grasse remained in the Chesapeake to thwart British reinforcements. Responds to James comments about a man named Sir George with more criticism: "nothing can be more insufferable than his Petulance, nothing more ridiculous than his folly, nothing more intolerable than his insolence & ignorance united." Comments on other correspondence and family matters. For contemporary correspondence from Ralph to James on his presence at Yorktown, relationship to Lord Cornwallis, and capture see GLC03676.04-.05. |
| Subjects | Battle (Siege, Surrender) of Yorktown Global History and Civics Marriage Women's History Lottery Clothing and Accessories Genealogy Children and Family Revolutionary War Navy Battle France Military History |
| People | Dundas, David, Sir (1749-1826) Dundas, James (1752-1831) |
| Place written | Richmond London, England |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Naval & Maritime; Foreign Affairs; Children & Family |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Sir David Dundas, 1st Bart of Richmond, was a doctor who was appointed Sergeant Surgeon to King George III in 1791. James Dundas was a lawyer in Edinburgh, Scotland, and David's younger brother. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Letter from David Dundas to James Dundas about events across the British Empire Ralph Dundas to James Dundas relating naval news and discussing details of continued battles and skirmishes occurring between December 1780 and July 1781 Ralph Dundas to James Dundas informing him that he was made "a Prisoner to France" and is in New York on parole |