[ The Duke of Kent as Governor of Gibraltar, in the build up to the Garrison Mutiny of 1802. ] Letter in a Secretarial Hand, signed in Autograph ('Edward'), to Lieut-Col. Lethbridge, one of his 'oldest military friends', regarding the '.

A strict disciplinarian, the Duke was appointed Governor of Gibraltar in March 1802 and, as this letter describes, immediately set about dealing with what he considered the various abuses of the Garrison. His harsh discipline would precipitate a mutiny by soldiers in his own and the 25th Regiment on Christmas Eve 1802. The Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, would recall him in May 1803 after receiving reports of the mutiny, but despite this direct order he would refuse to return to England until his successor arrived. He would be refused permission to return to Gibraltar for an inquiry and, although continuing to hold the governorship of Gibraltar until his death, would never go back. The present item is 8pp., folio. On two bifoliums. On aged and worn paper, with a number of repairs with archival tape, and the signature 'Edward' showing particular damage. A long and interesting letter, addressed to 'Lieut Colonel Lethbridge', and docketted 'No 8 - | Duke of Ks Letter from Gibraltar | 31 Octr. 1802'. He begins by apologising for a late reply, due to the 'uncessant occupation which I have had for the last six months, and the state of my health which suffered very considerably during the oppressive heat of the first five of them'. Before discussing affairs at Gibraltar, he deals with other matters, with references to 'the stigma that had attached to Colonel Ainslie and Major Forsyth' and arrangements made for the widow and family following 'the death of poor Lennox'. Lethbridge is stationed in Jamaica (where the Duke had also previously been stationed), and the Duke has heard that he has not had 'the most pleasant task' in putting his battalion 'to rights', and that his health has been undermined in the process. He advises him to apply to the Duke of York for a transfer to North America (where the Duke had previously been stationed), suggesting an exchange of battalions with 'Harris', who is 'a perfect Cypher'. He reports news regarding 'Colonel Gordon' in London, before turning to 'the restoration of tranquility at St. Domingo (for that we understand to be the Case), as it most materially tends to keep your people of Colour also in Jamaica in proper Subjection'. After discussing his need for 'superior Performers' among 'Musicians', he undertakes to 'write to the Prince of Wales in favor of your Brother Mr Christopher Lethbridge'. He now turns to Gibraltar, and the 'many Changes' which 'have of late taken place in this Garrison'. As Lethbridge is one of his 'oldest military friends', he is anxious, 'such of them as are to my disadvantage should not give you an unfavorable impression of me, I shall just mention, that on my first arrival, I found the troops in such a scandalous and disgraceful State of indiscipline, and every Department so full of abuses that it required every Exertion on my part to remedy the evil'. He explains that he met with 'a wonderful deal of opposition from those, who, from habits of indolence and debauchery, were roused to those of activity and regularity, and to what extent this was I shall leave you to judge, when I tell you that four fifths of the Captains & Subalterns were from the Irish Militia not a little tinctured by the doctrines of the times'. With great effort he has got them 'to look and act as Soldiers should do', but it has 'created a good deal of ill blood amongst the ill disposed, & whenever they can, with impunity, make my conduct the subject of Satyre, they will not miss the Occasion'. As his 'sole object' is to do his duty conscientiously, he treats their 'malicious attempts' with contempt. He concludes by expressing his own good wishes, and those of his mistress 'Madame de St. Laurent'.