Royal Navy and military interest: two 18th century manuscript orders for naval stores for ships

Royal Navy and military interest: two 18th century manuscript orders for naval stores for ships berthed in Gibraltar Bay countersigned by Edward Cornwallis, Governor of Gibraltar 1761-76, the first signed by Captain George Balfour of H.M.S. Bienfaisant, "A Demand for Gunners Stores for the use of His Majestys Ship Bienfaisant...27th of Janry 1763...Sweet Oyl [sic] six Gallons...Musquet Rods Fifty"; the second by Captain George Vandeput of H.M.S. Carysfort, "A Demand for Ordnance Stores for the use of his Majesty's Ship the Carysfort...19th of Febr 1769.."; each with other countersignatures and the secondendorsed to say that of one requested item ("Drum cords") there are "None in Store". [2]

Edward Cornwallis (1713-76) was a scion of a notable aristocratic and military family, whose uncle Charles Cornwallis was to surrender to the forces of the American Revolution at Yorktown in October 1781. Edward Cornwallis himself fought at the battles of Fontenoy and Culloden, and served as Governor of Nova Scotia. In 1756 he was part of the council of war under Admiral Byng which unanimously voted to withdraw from Menorca, a decision which ultimately led to Byng's execution.