FRENCH & INDIAN WAR]. PITT, William, the elder (1708-1778), first Earl of Chatham . Autograph letter signed (third person, "Mr. Secretary Pitt") as Secretary of State, to Lord William Home, Governor of Gibralter. N.p. [London], "Tuesday Night," 16 October 1759, "past twelve." 1 full page, 4to, part of integral blank with Lord Home's docket: "Mr. Secy. Pitt News of the taking of Quebec + Victory" . MOMENTOUS NEWS FROM AMERICA: "QUEBEC IS TAKEN, AFTER A SIGNAL & COMPLEAT VICTORY OVER THE FRENCH..." At about midnight, as Pitt notes, he received official dispatches from General Townshend (see next lot) announcing the hard-won victory in the long siege of Quebec. The town had finally surrendered to the British a month earlier, on 13 September. While the full report was immediately sent on to George III, Pitt hurriedly passes on the electrifying news to the British Governor of the citadel at Gibralter: "Mr. Secy Pitt has the Pleasure to send Ld. Home the joyful news that Quebec is taken, after a signal & compleat Victory over the French Army. Gen l. Wolfe is killed--Brig r. Monckton wounded, but in a fair way--Brig r. Townshend perfectly well--Our Loss about 500--Montcalm killed, & ab t. 2 or 300 French. Col. Hale is just arrived with this News, & the Letters are gone to the King--Mr. Pitt, in the present hurry, can't add more, but the Details will be sent by the next Post...."
FRENCH & INDIAN WAR]. PITT, William, the elder (1708-1778), first Earl of Chatham . Autograph letter signed (third person, "Mr. Secretary Pitt") as Secretary of State, to Lord William Home, Governor of Gibralter. N.p. [London], "Tuesday Night," 16 October 1759, "past twelve." 1 full page, 4to, part of integral blank with Lord Home's docket: "Mr. Secy. Pitt News of the taking of Quebec + Victory" . MOMENTOUS NEWS FROM AMERICA: "QUEBEC IS TAKEN, AFTER A SIGNAL & COMPLEAT VICTORY OVER THE FRENCH..." At about midnight, as Pitt notes, he received official dispatches from General Townshend (see next lot) announcing the hard-won victory in the long siege of Quebec. The town had finally surrendered to the British a month earlier, on 13 September. While the full report was immediately sent on to George III, Pitt hurriedly passes on the electrifying news to the British Governor of the citadel at Gibralter: "Mr. Secy Pitt has the Pleasure to send Ld. Home the joyful news that Quebec is taken, after a signal & compleat Victory over the French Army. Gen l. Wolfe is killed--Brig r. Monckton wounded, but in a fair way--Brig r. Townshend perfectly well--Our Loss about 500--Montcalm killed, & ab t. 2 or 300 French. Col. Hale is just arrived with this News, & the Letters are gone to the King--Mr. Pitt, in the present hurry, can't add more, but the Details will be sent by the next Post...."
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Create an alert![FRENCH & INDIAN WAR]. PITT, William, the elder (1708-1778), first Earl of...](http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d46436/d4643652r.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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