Add MS 89301

Letters sent to John Purdy, hydrographer, with observations, charts and views (none of these are present) for publication or incorporation in future editions of his charts and sailing instructions. Both correspondents were credited with information in later editions of Purdy's Memoir, descriptive and explanatory to accompany the new Chart of the Atlantic Ocean.

Letters to John Purdy from Lieutenant John Evans, 1828-1835:

• Letter from John Evans, 25 June 1828. Shortcomings of views in Purdy’s books of directions, particularly those of Captain Livingston. Proposal for Purdy to undertake publication of a volume of about 44 lithographic views by Evans of the British side of the English Channel, to accompany the chart and navigational instructions. Discussion of terms for the enterprise. Presentation to Purdy of Evans’ own views of Cape Corientes and Antonio at the west end of Cuba, possibly for inclusion in Purdy’s Book of instructions, with a sketch of the Port of Matanzas, for which there exists no plan or pilot. Inaccuracy of the existing views of Capes Corientes and Antonio in Purdy’s Book. [Views and sketch not present].
• Letter from Lieutenant John Evans, Bedminster, 9 February 1835. Thanks for present of books. The Atlantic Memoir is unsurpassed, the amount of useful information compressed in it is enough to ensure Purdy’s future fame as a national benefactor. Corrections of Evans’ text for next edition of The Memoir.

Letters to John Purdy from Lieutenant Bisschop Greevelink of the Dutch Navy, 1837-1838:

• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 5 December 1837. Having made nautical researches during a four year cruise in the West Indies as Lieutenant in the Dutch royal navy, he offers Purdy, as a contribution to The Columbian navigator, ‘A Description of – and Direction for the Man of War Rock near the Island of St Martins’, with a chart already printed and published in the Bydrage tot de Zeevaart , Amsterdam – Van Keulen. Offers to translate from the Dutch if Purdy cannot find a local translator.
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 22 March 1838. Sends description of his observations of the Man of War Rock of St Martins, with altered directions for the Surinam River, with charts soon to follow. Seeks Purdy’s opinion of their merit.
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 26 March 1838. Sends his chart of the Man of War Rock, with a Description of Curacao island.
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 25 April 1838. Thanks Purdy for his responses and sends a selection of his own views as illustrations for the intended work but also as a gift. The views include notes on positions. Remarks on Caribbean Ocean currents and navigation, together with descriptions of Bonaire and Oruba [Aruba] to follow soon.
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 28 April 1838. Sends the translation of his remarks on the currents in the Caribbean Sea.
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 28 April 1838. Sends the last communication. The chart of Surinam River, together with tables of currents observed, will follow. Owes his success to Purdy’s own work. Pencil note at foot of folio: ‘Mem- Lt. Greevelink to have the Dy for the North Sea Channel. Colombian Vol. 3’
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 5 May 1838. Clarification of previous letter with reference to a dispute with our ‘Professor Prime Hydrographer’.
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 13 May 1838. Sends a packet of part of the current tables and a hint about the dangers of swimming in the Surinam river. Lists what he has sent free of charge since receiving Purdy’s acknowledgements of 7 and 20 April.
• Letter to R. H. Laurie and J. Purdy, from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 25 May 1838. Sends his chart of the West Indies. Sets out his previous disagreements with the Commission for Examining and Composing Sea-Charts, his need for funds to pay his trifling debts, and his willingness to give the work freely to Laurie and Purdy, or to be recompensed if they find it worth something.
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 31 May 1838. Contrasts the treatment meted out to himself by his own country with that received from Laurie and Purdy, and thanks Purdy for showing a specimen of his work to friends at the Admiralty. His survey of Surinam River is the only accurate one in existence.
• Letter from Bisschop Greevelink, Rotterdam, 11 June 1838. About to travel to Amsterdam to embark for the West Indies. Thanks Purdy for the return of the chart of the West Indies, that of currents and some views. Asks Purdy not to return material not used, which has been freely given, and to destroy all except the survey of Surinam River and collection of land views, which were given as a sincere mark of continuing respect.