Sir Brook Watson (2 results)

Both documents 1p., folio. Both in good condition, on lightly-aged laid paper, the first with pin-holes from its attachment to another item. The first letter relates to 'the Expences incurred in constructing the Royal Military Canal', with reference to a 'Letter from Sir B[rook]. Watson Bt' and 'Lieut. Col. Brown's Accounts for expenditure'. The second letter again deals with communications from Watson and Brown, the latter 'enclosing Accounts & Vouchers for the Expenditure on the Royal Military Canal & Rampart'. The Royal Military Canal, conceived by Lieutenant-Colonel John Brown as a defence against invasion, runs for 28 miles between Seabrook near Folkestone and Cliff End near Hastings. In mid-1805, due to the slow progress of the work, the contractors and consultant engineer John Rennie had been dismissed and replaced by the Quartermaster-General's department with Brown in command.

Manuscript on vellum, three membranes, with an initial portrait of the King and the Great Seal attached. The document overall 31 x 24 inches, the Great Seal 6 inches in diam. All contained in the original shaped leather over wood case; the case now rather worn and lacking much of the original leather covering. The Great Seal is a rather poor lumpy impression and now lacking the original tin case (skippet). The document inscribed to the reverse "The within Patent has been duly recorded in the College of Arms London pursuant to the tenor of His Majesty's Warrant under his Royal Signet and Sign Manual .Examined therewith the thirteenth day of December 1803" and signed George Harrison, Clarenceux & Register. Watson has an interesting history. At the age of 14 and in the employ of his uncle on one of his merchant ships, whilst swimming in Havana harbour was attacked by a shark and lost his right leg, This incident prompted Watson in 1778 to commission John Singleton Copley to paint this dramatic scene, known as "Watson and the Shark" (for which see our illustration) which when exhibited at the Royal Academy caused a sensation. It now hangs in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.Watson was a member of the original committee of the Corporation of Lloyd's of London; he was elected as an Alderman of the City of London and served as M.P. for the City of London. Lord Mayor of London in 1796 and a deputy Director of the Bank of England.Copley painted a portrait of Watson in c.1796. This now hangs in Indianapolis Museum of Art. He was also the subject of a caricature by Robert Dighton in 1803. His coat of arms had his severed leg on it and the shark as the crest.