Three letters to Charles Cox from David Collins, Edward Lord and George Collins

MLMSS 10469/Box 1X

fonds

1809-1810

9637118

0.38 metres of textual material (1 outsize box)

David Collins, 1756-1810, deputy judge advocate and lieutenant-governor, was born on 3 March 1756 in London. In 1786 Collins accepted an appointment with the First Fleet as Deputy Judge Advocate of the new colony to be established at Botany Bay and of the marine detachment. He returned to England in 1796. On 4 January 1803 he was commissioned lieutenant governor for the new settlement in Tasmania and remained there until his sudden death in 1810.

Charles Cox is cited in the Bailey's London Directory of 1784 as a merchant in Holborn. In 1799 he is described as a marine agent and later as an agent. In 1813 Charles Cox was joined by his son to become Charles Cox and Son, agents.

Edward Lord was born on 15 June 1781 in Pembroke Wales. In 1798 he was second Lieutenant of Marines and was stationed at Portsmouth. In 1803 he joined the expedition of Lieutenant-Colonel David Collins later sailing to Van Diemen’s Land to help establish a settlement on the Derwent River. When David Collins died unexpectedly on 24 March 1810 Lord took charge of the settlement, but his application to succeed Collins failed.

George Collins, of London, was the brother of David Collins who was lieutenant-governor at Hobart from 1803-1810.

References:
'Collins, David (1756-1810)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/collins-david-1912/text2269 (accessed online ​18 June 2020).

London Metropolitan Archives, https://aim25.com/cats/118/16809.htm (accessed 18 June 2020)

Thea Rienits, 'Lord, Edward (1781-1859)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University,
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lord-edward-2370/text3113 (accessed online 18 June 2020)

Purchased by the vendor from a private collection

Three manuscript letters received by Charles Cox from June 1809 to November 1810 concerning the financial affairs and death of David Collins, first Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land. The pages are damp stained and scorched, with paper loss at edges and consequent loss of some words.

1) Autograph letter from David Collins, Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, to Charles Cox, marine agent, London, dated 3 June 1809. In the letter Collins describes his financial difficulties, he petitions Cox for money, whilst acknowledging his accumulated debt. He asks Cox to advance money to his wife so she can send him a 'new suit, hat, feather and sword knot'. Collins briefly refers to William Bligh's unexpected arrival in Hobart (following his deposition in Sydney).

2) Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Edward Lord, dated 3 April 1810, transcribed by Charles Cox. The letter informs Cox of the sudden death of David Collins which had happened ten days earlier. Lord describes how Collins had been unwell for a few days but while conversing with his surgeon, Mr Bowen, he had suddenly died in his chair.

3) Autograph letter from George Collins in London to Charles Cox dated 1 November 1810. In the letter Collins thanks Cox for the communication of the news of his brother’s death. He was consoled to learn that his brother’s 'person and character' was defended within the colony and hoped that the government will 'settle something handsome on his widow' in return for his services.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales