This letter links a Glasgow Merchant and banker to the American War of Independence.
The letter reads as follows with spelling and punctuation is as per the letter.
To: Mr. David Forbes, Writer in Edinburgh.
From: Andrew Blackburn, Glasgow.
Dated: 5th November 1777.
Sir,
The only apology I can make for not answering your letter of Septr 30th sooner, is, I have been for some month from home & only returned last night.
You have enclosed Mr. Hamilton’s receipt to Sir Wm Erskine for the £660 – youll notice Sir Wm desires me on the back of the Receipt to settle this cash with Mr. Hamilton, I got it from him at Greenock the day before he sailed, when Sir Wm gave it me he said Mr. Hamilton would soon have all of that money in his hands & it would be easily settled – I remember about 15 or 16 months ago I spoke to Mr. Hamilton about it, he showed me the State of the Acc’t, & there was then a mere triffle in his hands, at that time he told he had Money both to receive & pay on Sir Wm’s acc’t & it could not be properly settled till that was done.- I have made an order on the back of the Receipt for Mr. Hamilton to settle it with Sir John Halket & the rest of the Commissioners, & shall by this post write Mr. Hamilton of my having done so.
Youll be so kind as to send me a declaration from the Commissioners of my having delivered up this Receipt to them, as in Case there should be any questions hereafter asked one about it, I may have a proper document to show for it.
I am Sir
Your most Hum. Serv.
Andrew Blackburn.
Andrew Blackburn is said to have been an public spirited and enterprising Merchant of Glasgow who, in the middle of the eighteenth century, founded one of the early Glasgow Banks. The Bank referred to was the Glasgow Arms Bank which was established in 1750 and traded until 1793, albeit Andrew Blackburn retired on or about 1782. The main contemporaries of Blackburn in the Glasgow Arms Bank were Provost Andrew Cochran, Alexander Speirs of Elderslie, Peter Murdoch and Provost Bowman.
He was the Great Grandson of William Blackburn, a merchant in Glasgow, and in the list of the "great company" which "arose undertaking to trade to Virginea, Carriby Islands, Barbadoes, New England, St. Christophers, Monserat, and other colonies in America…”. He married Margaret, daughter of Andrew Aiton, merchant in Glasgow and resided at the impressive Househill property which he sold in 1750 to Robert Dunlop thereafter residing in "Ingram's" Street in Glasgow. He is listed as living in Ingram’s Street in the 1791 Glasgow Directory.
Such was the community and circles in which Blackburn moved that the Robert Dunlop to whom he sold Househill was the brother of Provost Colin Dunlop of Carmyle who was a founding Partner of the Ship Bank. Interestingly Ingram was also a partner within the Glasgow Arms Bank and was an established tobacco trader.
Househill (better known as Hous'hill) in Nitshill, photographed by Thomas Annan in 1870. The mansion was built in the early 19th century to replace an earlier house. It became famous as the home of tea room owner Catherine (Kate) Cranston (1849-1934). In 1904 she commissioned Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) to carry out the redecoration of its rooms. Cranston sold the house in 1920. It was badly damaged by a fire c 1930 and subsequently demolished.
Whilst references to Andrew Blackburn are few I have found the following, dated 1768.
“Unto the Right Honourable, the Lords of Council and Session, the petition of Messrs. Alexander Spiers, Andrew Blackburn, and Andrew Syme, merchants in Glasgow, creditors of James Dunlop merchant there, and trustees for the other creditors of the said James Dunlop"
This, together with comments in respect of Househill and the nature of his associates in the Glasgow Arms Bank leads me to believe that Andrew Blackburn was heavily involved in the Tobacco trade. In essence this trade had grown considerably since the Act of Union (1707) which permitted Scottish merchants to trade with the Colonies with this having previously been under the direct control of England. Glasgow, being a West of Scotland port, was ideally suited for trade with America and the colonies and considerable trade developed in the period from 1707 to the outbreak of the War with America. The vast majority of the tobacco imported to Glasgow was then exported to Europe with the Glasgow merchant obviously taking his profit in the transaction.
Hamilton ("The Industrial Revolution in Scotland") advises "The American War of Independence is a landmark in Scottish economic history. It almost completely destroyed the great tobacco trade on which Scotland's, and especially Glasgow's prosperity rested. The imports to the Clyde fell from nearly 46 million lb. in 1775 to 295,000 lb. in 1777, and this was not merely a temporary collapse which could be remedied when the war was over, for the United States of America was not likely to acquiesce in a trade which sent her tobacco to France, Germany and Italy via the Clyde."
Tobacco Ships at Glasgow c 1765.
I regret that I cannot identify the Mr. Hamilton to which the letter refers although both Sir William Erskine and Sir John Halket are easier to identify.
Sir William Erskine (1728 – 1795) was born in Edinburgh, March 1728, son of Lieut. Col. William Erskine of Torrie and Henrietta Baillie (of the Lamington family). Young William joined his father's regiment, 7th Dragoons, in 1742. Later, as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 15th Light Dragoons serving in Germany in 1762, Erskine performed exceptionally on the field at Emsdorf and was able to present George III with 16 colours captured by his regiment. For his prowess, Erskine was raised to the position of knight baronet, and thus became Sir William Erskine.
He served in America in 1776, seeing action at Long Island. Erskine was second in command to Tyron during the Connecticut Coast raid in April 1777. He served in the Philadelphia campaign and then, in 1778, was made Quartermaster-General by Henry Clinton (the British Commander-in-Chief in North America). The quartermasters were responsible for providing all of the necessary provisions and supplies to the British army.
I suspect the above letter relates to some transactions which were being progressed by Sir William Erskine “the day before he sailed” (1776) although whether these were in his capacity as Quartermaster or not is to be debated as, when as Quartermaster General, Sir William Erskine, was recalled to London in 1779 for a government audit of his accounts as he and several other quartermasters were under investigation by the British government for profiteering during the Revolutionary War. They were cleared of the charges.
The Halket papers with the National Library of Scotland (MS 6410, fos. 26, 31, 37, 77) contain letters to / from Sir William Erskine and Sir John Halket and suggest that Sir William Erskine, quartermaster-general from 1776 to 1779, sent home some £13,000 in 1777 alone.
Erskine went on to lead troops at the Battle of Monmouth and after that campaign was given command of the eastern district of Long Island. His last active duty was commanding five infantry battalions and a cavalry squadron in pursuit of the Convention Army which was thought to be moving to Virginia in November 1778.
Erskine was perhaps very unpopular in America as is suggested by the following exchange of letters with Adam Stephen (an associate of George Washington) on the topic of the savage cruelty of the British troops. Stephen’s letter reads as follows.
Sir,
It is told us, that Sir William Erskine commanded the British troops covering the foraging party at Drake's Farm, on Saturday of the first instant (1st February 1777).
Is it possible that a gentleman and officer so eminently distinguished for his bravery and experience! Should allow the troops under his command to murder the wounded after the manner of savages! Until this time, it was universally allowed that humanity was a certain concomitant of valour. It now appear that Britons, unhappily divested of many excellent qualities peculiar to their ancestors, are become strangers to humanity, and deaf to the entreaties of the brave, after the misfortune of having fallen wounded into their power. Mr. Kelly, a brave officer in my brigade, and five other Virginians, slightly wounded in the muscular parts, were murdered, had their bodies mangled, and their brains beat out, by the troops of his Britannic Majesty, on Saturday the first instant.
The cruelties exercised on the worthy General Mercer, near to Princeton, on the third of January, were equally barbarous. It gives pain to a generous mind, Sir William to see you tarnish the laurels so honourably obtained last war, by permitting such savage barbarity in the troops under your command. Such conduct, Sir, will inspire the Americans with a hatred to Britons, or the least connexion with them.
I can assure you, Sir, that the savages, after General Braddock's defeat, notwithstanding the great influence of the French over them, could not be prevailed upon to butcher the wounded in the manner your troops have done, until they were first made drunk. I do not know, Sir William that your troops gave you that trouble. So far does the British cruelty, now a days, surpasses that of the savages.
In spite of all the British agents sent amongst the different nations, we have beat the Indians into good humour, and they offer their service. It is their custom, in war, to scalp, take out the hearts, and mangle the bodies of their enemies. This is shocking to the humanity to the white inhabitants of America. However, if the British officers do not restrain their soldiers from glutting their cruelties with the wanton destruction of the wounded, the United States, contrary to their natural disposition, will be compelled to employ a body of ferocious savages, who can, with an unrelenting heart, eat the flesh, and drink the blood of their enemies. I well remember, that in the year 1763, Lieutenant Gordon of the Royal Americans, and eight more of the British soldiers, were roasted alive, and eaten up by the fierce savages, that now offer their services.
The Americans have hitherto treated the wounded and prisoners of the British troops with that civility and tenderness natural to a brave and generous people; but should the inhuman cruelty of your men compel the American army to retaliate, let it be remembered that the British officers stand answerable to the world, and to posterity, for the many dreadful consequences.
I am, Sir, with due respect, Your most humble servant,
Adam Stephen B.G. United States
Erskine’s reply – dated 10th February 1777- reads as follows.
Sir,
I received your letter of the 4th instant, and am extremely obliged to you for the good opinions you seem to have had of my past character, but as much hurt at the unmerited charge you lay against me at the present.
It is unnecessary for me to answer minutely every paragraph of your letter, which is wrote in a style and language I have not been accustomed to. I only beg leave to inform you that I never countenanced an act of barbarity in my life time, nor can I think any Gentleman in the British service equal to it. We, on the contrary, wish to treat prisoners with lenity, and to take all possible care of the wounded that fall into our hands, as humanity will always meet with the approbation of every officer in the army.
However, I may mention, that it is not to be wondered at if our soldiers are a little exasperated, considering the many cruelties that have been of late committed on them and their officers, even unarmed, passing singly from quarter to quarter.
I am, Sir, with respect, Your most obedient and humble servant,
William Erskine, Brigadier and Q.M.G.
NOTE in the Virginia Gazette: Several officers in the rear of an escort were surprised by a party of the militia, and surrendered to them, but soon after clapped spurs to their horses and fled; upon which the militia fired immediately, and killed three of them, amongst whom was Major Phillips. This is the cruelty alluded to in Sir William's letter.
General Washington mentioned the incident to William Livingston writing from his headquarters
Feb. 14th, 1777
Morris Town, N.J. Morris Town Sir, Morris Town Your two favours of the 6th and 10th inst. I had the honour to receive this Evening-Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to have it in my Power fully to comply with the request contained in the former. The first question proposed is easily solved by a sight of emaciated bodies of all our Prisoners when they have returned - The second admits of quality Proof, as well in the fate of Lieutt, Yates of the 1st Virginia Batn Who was butchered by a British soldier at his deposition, a Copy of which I take the liberty of inclosing You, as in that of Capt. Neill, which Col. Flowers, now at Philadelphia, can inform you of; and also of Adjutant Kelly of the 5th Virginia Batn who experienced the same degree of Brutality in the Action of the 17th Ulto. This last became the subject of a Letter from Genl Stephen to Sir Wm Erskine (who it is said commanded the party) a Copy of which with the Answer, and necessary Affadavits I will transmit to you, so soon as Genl Stephen, to whom I have wrote on the subject, furnish me with them-. . .
Erskine sailed for London in the 1779. Major Baurmeister commented on the void left by Erskine's departure writing, "The army will miss in him an experience and very well-liked man."
He was made a Baronet in 1791. He later served in Flanders with the Duke of York. He served in 19 campaigns in 53 yrs of military service. He died in 19 March, 1795, aged 67, and was buried at Torryburn, Fife.
Sir John Halket was a Baronet and owned the Pitfiranne estates in Dunfermline, Fife, as did his family before him for many generations. The Halket family appears to have been primarily involved in the extraction of coal from their various Fife properties although several members of the family also had military careers. Several family members also served as Provosts of Dunfermline in the 18th Century.
It is quite difficult to identify exactly which Sir John Halket this letter refers to although I believe it to be the 6th baronet who lived from 1720 to 1793. This is based on a number of assumptions which may or may not be correct. Firstly I believe this would place him in the same age bracket as Andrew Blackburn and Sir William Erskine. Secondly both Sir John Halket, 6th baronet, and Sir William Erskine engaged the artist David Allan to paint portraits of his family. Both portraits are held in the National Gallery of Scotland. Thirdly, and this is perhaps a tenuous link to the letter, Sir John Halket’s second marriage was to the Hamilton family.
Sir William Erskine and Family.
Sir John Halket and Family.
The Pitfiranne property of the Halket family still stands to this day and is now the clubhouse of the Dunfermline Golf Club.
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