Item data
Item Type:
Document
From:
Koster, John Theodore
Sent from:
Lisbon, Portugal
To:
Smith, Sir James Edward
Sent to location:
London
Summary:
Received Smith's letter of 16 December, unfortunate timing as [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet might then have travelled on the "Boston". Abbé Correa's [José Corrêa de Serra] friendship with Broussonet has caused him to be superseded in the previously promised position of public librarian, amongst other "mortifications". The emigrant Dukes of Luxembourg and Coigny took umbrage with Broussonet and applied to "the Council" to have him sent away. Explains that Portugal is under a "weak, irresolute though arbitrary" Prince [John (1767-1826) regent of Maria I, later João VI] surrounded by a "corrupt, ignorant, bigoted, intriguing court", laments confinement of Duke de Lafoens [John de Braganza, uncle of Maria I] who may have imposed some order. Is sure Mr Walpole would undertake Sir Joseph Banks recommendation in protecting Broussonet and obtaining leave for him to stay as long as convenient. However, knowing the the inconvenience he has caused Correa, Broussonet has resolved to leave for Gibraltar immediately, carrying a letter to Mr Pinto, the secretary of state; another from Mr Walpole, with his letter to General Rainsford, and the admiralty order. Anxious to hear of him, observes that "once a man's affairs get into a wrong train, it is often so difficult to set them right again". Ordered Smith's "Tour" as soon as he heard of it.
Letter date:
25 Jan 1795
Languages:
English
Prev Ref No:
6.27
Additional Information:
| Note type | Note |
|---|
| Related Material | For previous discussion of Broussonet's predicament see JES/COR/6/15. For aftermath of Correa's assistance to Broussonet see JES/COR/3/95.
Smith, J E, (1793). "A sketch of a tour on the Continent in the years 1786 and 1787" London. |
| Publn Note | Smith, P (ed.), (1832). "Memoir and correspondence of... Sir James Edward Smith" London: Longman, vol 2, pp.201-204. |
| Finding Aids | Dawson, W R, (1934). "Catalogue of the manuscripts in the Library of The Linnean Society - Part I. The Smith papers: The correspondence and miscellaneous papers of Sir James Edward Smith", London: Linnean Society. |
