1793

A1. Thomas Clements to Mary Jones, Leda (36), The Downs, 21 March 1793

SOURCE: TNA: PROB 11/1464/280 (incomplete copy in NLW, George Eyre Evans 3, 15, with some minor differences in spelling, evidently the result of copying errors).

ADDRESS: Miss Mary Jones Aberystwith Cardiganshire | South Wales (only found in NLW copy).

NOTES: Writing at the beginning of the wars with France, Clements informs his addressee that she and perhaps her sister, presumably his cousins, were to inherit his property if he died and the letter was later proved as his will. As Clements suggests, a few days later, his ship was moored at Spithead and about to sail for the Mediterranean,1 ultimately joining the fleet of Vice-Admiral Lord Hood2 and taking part in the Fall of Toulon between August and December 1793.

H. M. S. Leda in the Downs March 21st 93

My Dear Mary

In the first place I must beg you will excuse the few lines that follows I can only say the intent is sincere. We arrived here the day before yesterday. As our Stay is very uncertain I cannot say any thing on that head but I expect to be at Portsmouth in the course of a week when I hope to receive a few lines from you before I leave that place. I shall commit the few things in case of accident I have in this world for the benefit of you and Jane. The Gift is but small but believe me when I say was it thousands you are the sole proprietors of my heart and Property. Please to make my duty to my Aunt and love to Jane and Bill and believe me to be Dear Mary

Yours very sincerely

Thos Clements

• 1 Leda (36) sailed on 7 April with one of the first detachments of ships sent to the Mediterranean, and as part of the British fleet there took a prize off Toulon in June 1793 (TNA: ADM 51/1163, Part 6, Captain's Log Book, Leda (36), 1793–4; Winfield, British Warships, pp. 140–1; Clowes, The Royal Navy, 4, pp. 202–3; Bernard Ireland, The Fall of Toulon, paperback edn (London, 2006), p. 165).