The Clifford - Simcoe Correspondence

When researching his co-authored book with Mary Beacock Fryer entitled, John Graves Simcoe 1752-1806: A Biography, Christopher Dracott consulted the correspondence of Simcoe reproduced on microfilm and held at the West Country Studies Library in Exeter, England. The microfilm reels are copies of those at the Archives of Ontario where the original Simcoe letters are held. In the process of conducting his research, Dracott created a finding aid briefly describing each item on the reels of film with a number in brackets following each to indicate the number of film exposures dedicated to that particular document (number of pages). His finding aid is still used today by the A of O and WCSL.

Reels 1-8 deal with correspondence before 1798 during Simcoe’s time in Upper Canada as Lieutenant Governor and contain no information pertinent to the Clifford Collection. They are located at the Archives of Ontario only. Reels 9-16 deal primarily with his time back in Devon, England at his residence of Wolford Lodge in his capacity as the General in Defence of the Western District. These are located at both the A of O and WCSL. The documents on the film appear roughly in chronological order. Dracott’s numbering of items is derived from their sequence on the films, however, this numbering does not actually appear on the films themselves. Each item usually consists of multiple images, so the item number does not reflect the image number on the film. Below are item descriptions from Dracott’s finding aid that pertain to correspondence between Robert Clifford and John Graves Simcoe.

Letters at the Archives of Ontario

Letters at the Archives of Ontario

Reel 10 (April 1791 - December 1798)

Item 114:

Letter from Robert Clifford’s eldest brother, Lord Clifford of Ugbrooke, to Simcoe regarding forthcoming visit of Simcoe and wife (3). [first meeting between Simcoes and Cliffords mentioned on p. 202 of Dracott’s book]

 

Reel 11 (December 1798 - April 6, 1801)

Item 211:

Letter dated September 2nd from Lord Clifford to Simcoe regarding local military, but also refers to brother Robert coming home at the end of the week (3).

 

Reel 12 (April 6, 1801 - July 28, 1803)

Item 168:

Letter dated June 1st from Robert Clifford to Simcoe. He thanks Simcoe for sketches of battles in Egypt. Sends Simcoe sketches regarding Alexandria, campaign in Egypt, hemp in Canada (2). [view these maps in the Clifford Collection]

Item 242:

Letter dated August 4th, London, but envelope marked Leicester. From Robert Clifford to Simcoe regarding news of continental troop movements, etc. (2).

Item 315:

Letter [December 31st] from Robert Clifford to Simcoe. Discusses at length plans, drawings, etc. that he received from Simcoe about defence of Devon (2).

Item 319:

Unsigned, undated [1801?], letter to Simcoe referring to John Cary’s maps, oil maps, plans, etc. This is almost certainly Robert Clifford’s letter regarding his skeleton maps requested by Simcoe for the defence of southern England, based on Cary’s 5 miles to the inch series (3). [See William Ravenhill’s article, “Skeletons at Ugbrooke”]

Item 323:

Letter [1801?], Robert Clifford to Simcoe. Returns map and sends DESPINASSE? On artillery (2).

Item 341:

Letter dated April 3rd [1802] from 5 Edwards Street, Portman Square. Robert Clifford to Simcoe. Cannot obtain Kirwan’s two works on manure. Sending “Barnel” in 4 volumes to “complete your set.” Also sending “Claireaux” on Geometry for Miss Simcoe and Forsythe’s work (unbound). Says Simcoe already has Elkinton on drainage. All these for Simcoe’s “project.” Parcel being sent by Royal Clarence Coach “this day” (3).

Item 346:

Further letter dated 17th June from Robert Clifford. Mentions Colonel Turner. Sends Simcoe Kirwan’s Geology. 2 copies of Battle of Culloden. Simcoe now owes 2 pounds sterling for books, says he will enquire for Wernery. “I hope though on enemy ground we shall remain firm friends” (3). [this would be during Robert Clifford’s time in Paris during the Treaty of Amiens]

Item 356:

Letter dated 30th November, “Hotel D’Orleans.” Robert Clifford to Simcoe. Cannot find Werner’s works. Not much luck with maps and books. Discusses general situation in France and makes reference to Rue Petit Augustus, Fauberg St. He is studying the mathematical aspects of mineralogy (3).

Item 358:

Undated letter from Robert Clifford to Simcoe. Has been examining early books by French military writers. Has heard little of goings on (military) in France. Has Simcoe his “disposable ticket” of Royal Institution? Can Roman Catholic have it? Has the gout etc. (3).

Item 387:

Letter headed “Tower” May 18th. From William Mudge [of the Ordnance Survey] regarding topographical assistance of his officer. Going to Chudleigh until Christmas (2).

Item 399a:

Letter dated 12th June, 1803. From Richard Searle. Like to work Royal Engineers but Major Mudge will not release him from survey (2).

 

Reel 13 (July 1803 - September 29, 1804)

Item 26:

Letter dated August 23rd, London. Robert Clifford to Simcoe. Speaks of tour of regiments in Kent, arrested as spy in Sheerness but released. Meeting brother at Thomas’s Hotel, Berkeley Square (3).

Item 239:

Letter dated 29th, January [1804]. Robert Clifford to Simcoe. Has a cold, cannot accompany Simcoe to Wolford the next day. Discusses King of Prussia’s Memoirs and Simcoe’s error in note about same. Simcoe has book at Wolford. Refers to Colonel Elliott and new college at High Wickham. Hopes English will leave San Domingo alone and only make an alliance of commerce with blacks (3).

Item 419:

Letter dated 10th September. From Robert Clifford at 10 Welbeck Street. Discusses Lord St. Vincent, Simcoe’s plans for defence of Mount Pleasant. Hopes his brother gave Simcoe the book. Regards to Mrs. Simcoe (3).

Item 425:

Letter from Robert Clifford to Simcoe regarding information from “Guerre Moderne” on tactics (2).

Item 440:

Letter from Robert Clifford to Simcoe. He is walking again. Discusses personal and military matters (3).

 

Reel 14 (September 1804 - May 22, 1811)

Item 134:

Letter of a personal nature from Robert Clifford at 10 Welbeck Street, dated 23rd August to Simcoe. Has been to stone manufacturer, the window Simcoe is planning [for Wolford Chapel?] would cost at least 200 pounds. Has acquired two more military works for Simcoe. French had adopted rank firing, discusses Europe and situation in general. Naval position etc. (3).

Item 181:

Letter dated 14th November, 1805 from Sir Robert Palk at Haldon House to Simcoe regarding Major Mudge’s plans. He will send them to Major Darling’s office so that Lord Clifford [Robert’s eldest brother] can take them to Wolford etc. (2).

Item 240:

Sketch map in relief of area in west Devon (Western District). Covers area between Chudleigh and South Waddon, Ashcombe in north. Scale given as 3 miles to the inch (3).

Item 242:

Letter regarding “Saturday night” from Moira to Simcoe. Refers to Mr. Clifford. “My breakfast hour would probably be too early for Mr. Clifford.” (1).

Item 269:

Undated letter to Lord Clifford. Refers to debate instituted by Bastard in House on fate of Robert Clifford. “Fox spoke at length.” References to Clifford’s possession of plans, Sidney Smith and Robert being stopped at Calais etc. (3).

 

Reel 15 (May 24, 1811 - 18??)

Item 32:

Letter to Robert Clifford from Josh. Fincher? Royal Institute regarding nomination by late John Graves Simcoe of Henry Addington, latter being admitted (1).

 

Reel 16 (March 30, 1801 - 1805)

No Clifford correspondence.