CORINPHILA AUCTIONS 297 - 308 Day 3

First Fleet 1787 (August 6): Entire letter signed by 'N. Fowell' addressed back to South Brent, Devonshire, written by Midshipman Newton Fowell off Rio de Janeiro on board 'HMS Sirius', the Flagship of Captain Arthur Phillip's eleven First Fleet ships on the way to Australia; addressed to his father with the address slightly re-drawn and struck with two line "DOVER / SHIP-LRE" in black (Robertson S2) and rated '1/7d.' to pay upon receipt with arrival datestamp (Nov 20) on reverse in black. "We are just now off Rio Janeiro on the coast of Brazil, South America from where a Packet is now under weigh for Lisbon, I have five minutes time which I would not let slip to let you know I am very well and have great hopes of a Commission every day. I am of course very happy and like the Officers very well. Capt.Phillip has hoisted a broad pendant so I suppose he can here do anything with the Squad he pleases. I am in want of a few things which I did not find in my kit, the first some coarse cloth for towels and some table cloths fit for a Wardroom Mess, leather for shoes, cloth for trousers..". The Fleet stayed in Rio until September 4, and thence took on more stores and livestock in Cape Town, arriving in Botany Bay on January 18, 1788 (the Sirius on the 20th). Midshipman Fowell's letters upon arrival in Australia are published in book form by the Fairfax Library in Sydney. Fowell did receive his Commission to Second Lieutenant on board 'HMS Sirius', bravely volunteering to stay on board the ship when it was wrecked off Norfolk Island on March 19, 1790; he died of fever on board the HMS Supply on the way to Batavia on August 25, 1790. A truly remarkable entire and extremely rare letter in the foremost quality of great historical importance.rnProvenance: Prestige, Melbourne, 14 Aug 2020, lot 242.