The Vancouver Expedition Thomas Pitt, 2nd Baron Camelford



in caneing in conduit street (1796), james gillray caricatured pitt s streetcorner assault on george vancouver.


pitt left daedalus in hawai i, found way malacca , joined hms resistance able seaman on 8 december 1794. appointed acting lieutenant, on 24 november 1795 summarily discharged , left find own way home. took passage in union, cast away on coast of ceylon. made way europe.


meanwhile, vancouver had completed expedition , returned england in 1795. pitt s allies, including cousin, prime minister william pitt younger, treated vancouver badly enough. pitt took more direct role; on 29 august 1796 sent vancouver letter heaping many insults on head of former captain, , challenging him duel. vancouver gravely replied unable in private capacity answer public conduct in official duty , offered instead submit formal examination flag officers. pitt chose instead stalk vancouver, assaulting him on london street corner. terms of legal dispute required both parties keep peace, nothing stopped civilian brother charles interposing , giving pitt blow after blow until onlookers restrained attacker. charges , counter-charges flew in press, wealthy camelford faction having greater firepower until vancouver, ailing long naval service, died.








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