BYNG, JOHN, ADMIRAL (1704-1757). LETTER SIGNED (“J. BYNG”) TO CAPTAIN BARRY, SPITHEAD, ABOARD H.M.S. RAMILLIES, APRIL 1756.

BYNG, JOHN, ADMIRAL (1704-1757). LETTER SIGNED (“J. BYNG”) TO CAPTAIN BARRY, SPITHEAD, ABOARD H.M.S. RAMILLIES, APRIL 1756. 1 page, 4to, matted and framed with engraving of Byng’s execution. BYNG EMBARKS ON THE VOYAGE THAT ENDED HIS CAREER AND HIS LIFE. A rare Byng letter, written from his flagship at Spithead, five days before setting sail on his fateful mission to Minorca. Here he issues orders to Capt. Barry aboard the Kingston: “You are hereby required and directed to receive onboard His Majesty’s ship under your command Lieutenant Hugh Batterson and two recruits belonging to the Rt. Honorable Lord Penmure’s regiment, bearing them on a supernumerary list for victuals only during their continuance onboard; and to make a demand for bedding for them.” Just days before the Admiralty ordered Byng to set sail to Gibraltar from whence he was to ferry 100 troops to St. Philip’s Castle, the fort that guarded the entrance to the port of Mahón, on the eastern tip of Minorca. Byng was convinced that neither his 10 ship fleet nor the inadequate number of troops could prevent a French conquest of the garrison. He told London on 4 May that he would not carry out his orders. Transporting a mere 100 troops would be a needless sacrifice of the men, he argued. By the time this letter arrived in London however the French announced their successful landing on Minorca, stirring outrage back home. To compound his misfortune, Byng ineptly battled the French fleet off Minorca on 20 May with only a few of his ships engaging the enemy. The French sailed away unscathed and the British garrison surrendered on 28 June. By the time Byng returned home on 26 July, both the King and the mob were baying for his blood–“This man will not fight!” George II exclaimed. Byng was arrested and confined at Greenwich. A court martial found him guilty in January 1757, sentenced him to death but recommended mercy. None was forthcoming. On 14 March 1757 Byng–an M.P. for Rochester as well as a full Admiral–was shot on the quarterdeck of the Monarque in Portsmouth. ONLY ONE OTHER BYNG LETTER HAS COME TO AUCTION IN THE LAST 35 YEARS, and none have appeared from the Minorca campaign. SIZE: 17″ x 22-1/2″. CONDITION: Very good with some edge time toning. 9-27474 (800-1,200)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2461	$472.00	BYNG, JOHN, ADMIRAL (1704-1757). LETTER SIGNED (“J. BYNG”) TO CAPTAIN BARRY, SPITHEAD, ABOARD H.M.S. RAMILLIES, APRIL 1756. 1 page, 4to, matted and framed with engraving of Byng’s execution. BYNG EMBARKS ON THE VOYAGE THAT ENDED HIS CAREER AND HIS LIFE. A rare Byng letter, written from his flagship at Spithead, five days before setting sail on his fateful mission to Minorca. Here he issues orders to Capt. Barry aboard the Kingston: “You are hereby required and directed to receive onboard His Majesty’s ship under your command Lieutenant Hugh Batterson and two recruits belonging to the Rt. Honorable Lord Penmure’s regiment, bearing them on a supernumerary list for victuals only during their continuance onboard; and to make a demand for bedding for them.” Just days before the Admiralty ordered Byng to set sail to Gibraltar from whence he was to ferry 100 troops to St. Philip’s Castle, the fort that guarded the entrance to the port of Mahón, on the eastern tip of Minorca. Byng was convinced that neither his 10 ship fleet nor the inadequate number of troops could prevent a French conquest of the garrison. He told London on 4 May that he would not carry out his orders. Transporting a mere 100 troops would be a needless sacrifice of the men, he argued. By the time this letter arrived in London however the French announced their successful landing on Minorca, stirring outrage back home. To compound his misfortune, Byng ineptly battled the French fleet off Minorca on 20 May with only a few of his ships engaging the enemy. The French sailed away unscathed and the British garrison surrendered on 28 June. By the time Byng returned home on 26 July, both the King and the mob were baying for his blood–“This man will not fight!” George II exclaimed. Byng was arrested and confined at Greenwich. A court martial found him guilty in January 1757, sentenced him to death but recommended mercy. None was forthcoming. On 14 March 1757 Byng–an M.P. for Rochester as well as a full Admiral–was shot on the quarterdeck of the Monarque in Portsmouth. ONLY ONE OTHER BYNG LETTER HAS COME TO AUCTION IN THE LAST 35 YEARS, and none have appeared from the Minorca campaign. SIZE: 17″ x 22-1/2″. CONDITION: Very good with some edge time toning. 9-27474 (800-1,200) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}