Auction 333-341 Australian States & Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand – The ‚KOOYONG‘ Collection - Day 2

Mauritius Campaign 1810 (April 7): Entire lettersheet endorsed 'Isle de France' from Admiral Edward Pellew to Rear Admiral Sir Richard Keats in London. The letter posted from Plimouth, outlines the proposals of a landing a military force on the Island of Mauritius: "I will send you a parcel on all I have on Mauritius. The Indian Generals required 10'000 men, half Europeans half Sepoys - I think 5'000 good troops & 2 or 3'000 Black troups would do.... I am perfectly satisfied a landing may be made good inside point Canoniers from whence to Port NW is a fine landing plain -  extending between two or three miles before it reached the foot of the mountains..... whatever you do must be done by December before this month all is safe.... There are many other landings but they will all impose the task of marching over dreadfull ravines & mountains", signed Ed Pellew and addressed to London with faint straigth line 'Plymouth' and manuscript rate mark with London arrival cds on the flap. Some light soiling but a very interesting letter discussing the invasion plan.
In September, October and November 1810 British forces arrived from Madras, Bombay and the Cape of Good Hope, warships joining Rowley's squadron off Isle de France and soldiers gathering at Rodrigues Island. Sailing from Rodrigues on 22 November, the 70 vessels of the invasion fleet reached Grand Baie on 29 November. The French made no attempt to resist the landing either at sea or on land and Admiral Sir Richard Goodwin Keats (1757-1834) was able to rapidly advance on the capital.
Admiral Edward Pellew, (later 1st Viscount Exmouth 1757-1833) was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1804 and Commander in Chief of the East Indies Station. He destroyed the Dutch fleet in 1807 and was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the East India Station.