French Revolutionary War interest. J. F. CLARIDGE, Deputy-Clerk of the Peace for the County of Kent. A copy of an order from Sir Evan Nepean, dated 18th October 1796. Addressed to The Chief Magistrate of Margate, forbidding any British ships to enter and clear out for Genoa. Folio, two leaves with an integral blank and external recipient/sender details.

'Sir, in the absence of his grace the Duke of Dorset I send to you herewith a copy of a warrant received by him and his grace requests that you will cause it to be put in force within your jurisdiction without delay. I have the honour to be Sir, your most able serv't (signed) J.F Claridge Clr of the Peace:

By the commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland.
Whereas his Majesty has received intelligence that some ships belonging to his Majesty's subjects have been and are detained in the port of Genoa your grace is hereby required and directed in pursuance of His Majesty's order in council of the 12th Instant to order that no ships or vessels belonging to his Majesty's subjects be permitted to enter and clear out for Genoa or any port within the territory of the Republic of Genoa until further order and that a general embargo or stop be made of all Genoese ships and vessels whatsoever now within or which hereafter shall come into any of the ports harbours or roads within the Kingdom of Great Britain together with al persons and effects on board the said ships and vessels but that the utmost care be taken for the preservation of all and every part of the cargoes on board any of the said ships so that no damage or embezzlement whatever be sustained.

Given under our hands and the seal of the office of Admiralty the 13th day of October 1796.
To his Grace the Duke of Dorset, Vice Admiral of the County of Kent. By command of their lordships Evan Nepean, H. Seymour, J. Gambier, W. Young"

Sold together with a Maritime receipt signed by Thomas Littleton, Treasurer of the Navy, 7th February 1706/7. Recording the receipt of £500 for use and service of the navy and victualling thereof. Sir Thomas Littleton, 3rd Baronet, was previously Speaker of the House of Commons until 1700 and Treasurer of the Royal Navy until he died in 1709. (2)

Notes: In the period leading up to Genoa's establishment as a French protectorate in 1797, France began to exercise increasing control. The Genoese economy and military strength had already suffered diminishment due to the successive clashes of the Raid of Genoa (1793) and the Battle of Genoa (1796), during which naval forces from the Allied-Neopolitan coalition clashed with the French. On 11th November 1796, a letter from Monsieur Faypoult, the French Minister of Genoa, accused English vessels at St Pierre D'Arena of violating Genoese neutrality. The letter demanded that the Genoese authorities seize merchant ships in the port, which could be the reason for this retaliatory order.