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Hastings letters, papers, wills

Department Archive
Collection George Finlay Papers
Reference No. FIN/H/04
Level Item
Dimensions 24 X 36 cm
Dates 1819-1828
Donor/Creator Finlay, George
Scope and Content Navy boards, fawn linen spine and corners, labelled on front cover 'Book D', documents and letters pasted up and numbered, bound. Later typewritten contents (3 sheets) pasted at front. Loose press cutting from Εσπέρα Πέμπτης, 31 May 1928
(1) Hastings' commission as Commander in the British Navy. 27 April 1819. 2 pp.
(2) Sailing orders for the Kangaroo under Hastings' command 28 April 1819, with instructions concerning appointment of Mr. Barnett. 1 May 1819. 2 pp.
(3) Bill of Health, Cagliari, Sardinia. 25 August 1826. 1 p.
(4) Will of Frank Abney Hastings. 20 June 1826 (with codicil 8 August 1827). 2 pp.
(5) Will of Hastings' father General Sir Charles Hastings, Baronet. 1 May 1823. 2 pp.
(6) Hastings' certificates of conduct (3 statements, dated 3, 4, and 19 September 1819). 4 pp.
(7) Hastings' commission as Acting Lieutenant in the sloop Anaconda. 29 November 1813. 2 pp.
(8) Statement of Hastings estate. 31 December 1829. 1 p.
(9) Testimony to Hastings' work by Manoli Tombasi 10/22 June 1823 (in Greek). 2 pp.
(10) Sketch of gun and gun-carriage. 1 p.
(11) 'A Method of fabricating inflammable musket balls.' 2 pp.
(12) Hastings' visiting card.
(13) Hastings to George Finlay, c/o Finlay, Hodson, and Co., Bishopsgate Street. 20 Charles St., West­minster, 3 August 1825.
Thanks George Finlay for letter from Paris; is considering returning to Greece and will welcome George Finlay's company. 2 pp.
(14) Hastings to George Finlay. 20 Charles St., Westminster, 19 July 1825.
Regrets missing Finlay who has been in London. Has experienced intrigue and oppo­sition from the Greek deputies; discusses loan. 2 pp.
(15) George Finlay to Hastings, Karteria, Greek steam ship. Zante, 29 January 1827. George Finlay's journey to Greece; Cochrane's movements. 2 pp.
(16) George Finlay to Hastings, Karteria. Egina, 2 July 1827.
Urges H to take Ross back into his service; H reported to be at Alexandria; George Finlay alarmed at political situation of Greece. 2 pp.
(17) George Finlay to Hastings, Karteria. Egina, 2 February 1828.
Capodistrias has put off under General Church; George Finlay has stressed to Heideck absurdity of subordinating naval to military authority; and urges Hastings to write to Capodistrias. Secret information re Church. 2 pp.
(18) George Finlay to Hastings, Karteria. January 1828.
Acknowledges Hastings' report to Cochrane on affair at Poros; Church regarded as a humbug or worse; George Finlay's plans for publishing information on Greek affairs in Britain. Disorganization of Greek naval affairs and need for H's help. 2 pp.
(19) G. Brown to Hastings, Perseverance. Ratcliffe Cross, 14 October 1826. Discusses his problems with the Perseverance. 2 pp.
(20) Id. 9 April 1827.
Announces decision to send the Enterprise steamer. 2 pp.
(21) Id. 12 April 1827.
Date of Enterprise 's departure fixed for 13 April. 2 pp.
(22) Captain G. Thomas to Hastings, Karteria, Gulf of Lepanto. Poros, 7 March 1822.
His crew's discontent at his distribution of prize money; he asks for Hastings' support. 2 pp.
(23) G. Thomas to Hastings, Karteria, Loutraki (?). Greek brig of war Sauveur, Poros, 21 October 1827.
Reasons for bringing the gunboats out of the Gulf of Lepanto; has taken an Austrian schooner off Patras. 2 pp.
(24) Id. 27 October 1827.
Is preparing ships for sea on Cochrane's orders. 2 pp.
(25) G. Thomas to Hastings, Karteria. Egina, 6 February 1828.
Loss of brig off Chios; Cochrane's abrupt departure. 2 pp.
(26) G. Thomas to Hastings. Sauveur, Poros, 30 October 1827. Problem of disposal of prizes. 2 pp.
(27) T. Veullemo (Valianoff) to Hastings. Egina, 15 January 1828.
Congratulations on his victories (in French). 1p.
(28) Do. 21 February 1828.
His deep regret at Hastings' resignation of his command and decision to leave Greece for ever (in French). 2 pp.
(29) Do. 1 March 1828.
Further regrets (in French). 1 p.
(30) Hastings to Lord Byron. Idra, 1 December 1823.
Account of surrender of Corinth. 6 pp.
(31) Hastings to Lord Byron. 10 October 1823.
Hastings understands that B has funds at his disposal; proposals for Greek navy. 6 pp.
(32) Hastings to Lord Byron, Cephalonia. Athens, 7/19 December 1823.
Possibility of procuring a steamboat from England; detailed discussion of this project. Present lack of adequate financial organization. 6 pp.
(33) Hastings to Lord Byron. n.d.
Suggestions for Greek navy. 12 pp.
(34) Hastings to Lord Byron. n.d.
Suggestions for improving military organization on shore based on a year and a half's experience. 6 pp.
(35) Hastings to ? 13 Chapel Place, 28 February 1825.
His introduction from Count Gamba has not been acknowledged by the addressee. Hastings was fully aware of the Greek character before he joined the cause. He is, however, willing to put his knowledge of maritime warfare at their disposal. 32pp.
(36) The Rt. Hon. Viscount Melville to Hastings. Melville Castle, Edinburgh, 10 October 1819.
Re H's reference to an Act of Parliament relating to his desire to enter foreign service. 2 pp.
(37) G. Sagee to Hastings, on board H.M. ship Orlando, on arrival at Madras, 25 July 1816.
H's appointment to command of the Elk. 2 pp.
(38) C. A. Hastings (brother) to Hastings, 27 Leicester Square, Strand, London. Post Office, Brighton, Sussex, 25 February 1826.
C. A. Hastings has willed certain property to Hastings and wishes to ensure the position of Mr. Pratt, the present incumbent of Packington. 2 pp.
(39) G. Waddington to Hastings, Perseverance. 3 July 1826.
Acknowledges letter received and news of the steamship. 1 p.
(40) Hastings to General Church. Karteria, Karabousta, 14 February 1828.
Rebukes C for his interference with naval affairs; he refuses to permit the mono­poly traffic in grain near Patras sanctioned by C. 1 p.
(41) Lord Nugent to Hastings. Pall Mall, 1 November 1824.
N hopes that Hastings accepts an invitation from 'the committee' to become 'our Commissioner of Remonstrance with the Greek government on the subject of their miserable faineants the Deputies'. 2 pp.
(42) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. Karteria, Poros, 28 April 1827.
Discusses strategy against the Turks. Need for regular pay and provisioning; question of prize money; the affair at Trikeri. Damage to his boat; need for a national fleet and dockyard. 2 pp.
(43) General Gucheneux to Hastings, Perseverance. Poros, 21 September 1827.
Good wishes for Hastings' success and hopes for future meeting (in French). 2 pp.
(44) St. George to Hastings. Hellas, moored in Poros, 22 October 1827.
Congratulates Hastings on his brilliant action in the Bay of Salona. Local news. 2 pp.
(45) L. A. Gosse to Hastings, Karteria, Vasiladi. 22 December 1827.
American committee sends provisions for poor families at Calamos. Comments on Church (note by George Finlay in margin re help given Church and denied Hastings). Message from Cochrane. 2 pp.
(46) J. Bowring to Hastings, Karteria, Greece. London, 15 March 1827. The Times has not inserted Hastings' letter, but B has now got something into the Chronicle. 2 pp.
(47) ? to Hastings. 30 May 1825.
His health; hopes to see Hastings in London; personal news (in French). 2 pp.
(48) 'Fabricius (?) to Hastings, Commandans l'escadre dans le Golfe de Corinthe, Vasiladi.' Scala Salona, 2/14 May 1828.
Discusses his movements; has written to Mavrocordatos asking for H to be sent for at least 2 months. 2 pp.
(49) R. Mawdesley, Commandant, to H, Karteria. Calamos, 16 December 1827. Reports capture and looting of 2 Ionian boats by a Galaxidiote corsair; Capt. Fabricio of the Helvetia also guilty of improper conduct towards one of the commanders. Ionian ships are neutral and Hastings is asked to assist them in getting back their property. 2 pp.
(50) Hastings to R. Mawdesley. Karteria off Vasiladi, 2 January 1828.
Reply to (49). 2 pp.
(51) G. Bomeester to Hastings, Perseverance in Cagliari Bay. British Consulate Sardinia, Cagliari, 18 July 1826.
Warning on measures to be taken against Hastings' unruly seamen on shore. 2 pp.
(52) G. Psyllas and A. Petrakis to Hastings, Nauplion. Salamis, 15 July 1824.
Sends history of battle of Marathon (in Greek). 2 pp.
(53) C. Hancock to George Finlay, Egina. Zante, 2 June 1828.
False rumour of George Finlay's death. Describes Hastings' death on 1 June 1828; his burial­ place undecided. Personal news. Rumour of plot against the President. 2 pp.
(54) J. Robertson to George Finlay, c/o J. McGregor, Liverpool. Cairness, 10 June 1831.
T. Gordon would like to see Hastings' Journals as he wishes to use the material for his History. 2 pp.
(55) Letter from Greek government to the police. 25 May/6 June 1824.
Order to show more activity in searching for H's lost horse (in Greek). 1 p. (George Finlay notes that it was subsequently found.)
(56) ? Hastings to ? editor of a paper. 22 June 1824.
Comments on an article on situation in Greece inserted in 'your paper', with corrections. Discusses the loan (draft in Hastings' hand). 4 pp.
(57) George Finlay to Barff, Hancock and Co., Zante. Egina, 13/25 July 1831. Discusses Greek affairs. 4 pp.
(58) Orders to generals at Corinth, Loutraki, re defence of Gulf of Patras (? October 1827). (In Greek and transl.) 4 pp.
(59) 'Odesseos' to Commandant. n.d.
Complaint re conduct of one of his officers who invited him to dine on board the Hind and then set sail (in French). 2 pp.
(60) Plan of Athens. 1 p.
(61) Plan of port of St. Nicolas on north side of island of Zea (Kea). 1 p.
(62) Plan of Port Mandri. 1 p.
(63) Draft of coastline (unfinished). 1 p.
(64) Weights of coins (printed list). 1 p.
(65) Map of Athens and district (torn). 1 p.H42
(66) George Finlay to H, Karteria. Egina, 4-5 January 1828.
Defence of Trisognia. Affairs in Chios. 5 January: delighted at H's success. Naval resources. 2 pp.
(67) Yiakoumakis Tombazis. Hydra, 12 July 1822.
Attests H's bravery and effective participation against the Turkish navy off Chios (in Greek). 1 p.
(68) General notes on the nature of government. 2 pp.
(69) H's commission as Lieutenant in charge of H.M. sloop the Misette. 6 March 1814. 1 p.
(70) Id. in charge of H.M. ship the Orlando. 19 August 1815. 1 p.
(71) Id. in charge of H.M. sloop the Pelican. 10 November 1817. 1 p.
(72) Dragomato. 15 Jan 1828.
Notes Greece was one of the last European countries to adopt the newer Gregorian calendar. For most of the nineteenth century, the Julian calendar was 12 days behind the Gregorian. British correspondents in the Finlay Collection tend to use the newer calendar. Letters with two dates 12 days apart, eg. 24 April / 6 May 1828, refer to both the Julian and Gregorian calendars.