Letters from Sir Everard Fawkener to William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire and William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington

Scope and Content

In these letters Sir Fawkener writes in his capacity as Secretary to Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, concerning the Jacobite rebels and their movements as well as those of the royal Duke. He writes requesting the 3rd Duke find a few men familiar with the land of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to assist the His Royal Highness and also make the roads between Stockport and Lancashire towards Derby impracticable for artillery and carriages so as to prepare for the rebels. He also requests men to be on the lookout for the rebels and send any accounts of them and any intelligence received to the royal Duke. He thanks the 3rd Duke for his letters.

To Lord Hartington, he writes concerning reports of the Jacobite Rebellion at Derby and the royal Duke's pursuit of them. He also writes concerning Lord Hartington's queries about the passage of his letters from Ireland and the conduct of the Post Master General regarding franking privileges. He requests Lord Hartington send him a list of the individuals in his offices he believes should have letters pass free.

Administrative / Biographical History

Fawkener, Sir Everard 1684 - 1758

Merchant and government official. Ambassador to Constantinople 1737-46. Secretary to the Duke of Cumberland. Postmaster general 1745. Patron of Liotard, friend of Voltaire, and backer of the Chelsea Porcelain factory.