[James Gambier; William Young and another, Admirals] Printed Document Signed by three Commissioners, one signature undeciphered (see image), other signatures of J Gambier and W Young, Commissioners, about marking barrels of gunpowder.

Author: 
[James Gambier, Admiral; William Young, Admiral; signature of third unidentified but all Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great-Britain and Ireland]
Publication details: 
Date added in manuscript, 31 January 1799 (Watermark 'GR 1794').
£320.00
SKU: 25042

One page, folio, good condition. In the form of an instruction/letter addressed to The respective Captains, Commanders, and Commanding Officers of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels and Concludes By the Command of their Lordships [Autograph] W Marsden. Marsden (Wikipedia): William Marsden FRS FSA (16 November 1754 – 6 October 1836) was an Irish orientalist, numismatist, and linguist who served as Second, then First Secretary to the Admiralty during years of conflict with France. James, Lord Gambier and Sir William Young, both Admirals, also feature strongly in Wikipedia. Text of document: Whereas we have judged it expedient for the better distinguishing as may have been emptied from Cartridges (which is in general much decayed) from the rest of the Gunpowder on board His Majesty's Ships, that the words, 'Powder from Cartridges,' shall be marked upon the Barrels containing such Gunpowder; You are hereby required and directed to order the Gunner belonging to the Ship of Vessell under your command, to mark with white Paint, in legible Characters, the words, 'Powder from Cartridges' upon the Barrels containing the same, whenever such Gunpowder shall form a part of the stores of the ship or Vessel under your Command. No doubt Nelson received a copy of this document.