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A window onto the later career of Isaac Manley (1755-1837), mourned on his death as the last remaining participant in Cook's historic first voyage. Manley joined Cook's crew aged only 13 and was promoted to midshipman on 5 February 1771, during the journey home. He rose to the rank of admiral of the red, becoming one of the fifteen most senior officers in the Royal Navy. On the Endeavour, Manley acted as servant to the master, Robert Molineux. The ravages of disease in the later part of the voyage offered opportunities for advancement. Molineux died off Cape Town in April 1771, and Manley was promoted a day either side of the deaths of midshipmen John Bootie and Jonathan Monkhouse. "The Muster Rolls show Isaac being charged £3.13.2 for slops at this time, and £15.18.6 for dead men's clothes (presumably he was buying the dead middies' uniforms). And his tobacco charge, which began at 19/- in September 1769, also increased to £1.8.6" (Hill). Writing to the First Secretary of the Admiralty on his return to England, Cook gave Manley his endorsement in typically reserved fashion: "[Midshipmen] Mr Isaac Smith and Mr Isaac Manly both too young for the preferment, yet their behaviour merits the best recommendation" (quoted by Hill). Manley signed up for Cook's second voyage but was discharged (for still unknown reasons) in April 1772, before the Resolution sailed. He was commissioned lieutenant in May 1777, serving with the Channel Fleet and in North America and the West Indies, and fought in the Battle of the Saintes. In 1786, at the rank of commander, he was appointed to HMS Fairy - the service covered by this log - and ended his active duties in 1790. While living the life of a landed gentleman, he continued to earn promotion, reaching flag rank in 1809. He was promoted to admiral of the red a few months before his death. The daily log commences on 8 June 1786: "Came on board and took the command of Her Majesty's Sloop Fairy by virtue of a commission dated the 17th May 1786." The ship is tasked with patrolling the Channel and cracking down on smugglers, seizing spirits, tobacco, and other contraband. There are also references to punishing sailors for drunkenness and mutinous behaviour. In late 1787, Manley was also occupied with naval impressment and was ruthlessly effective, recording ships stopped and men pressed-ganged. In 1788, the ship is ordered to Africa, the log ending in media res on 31 March 1789 near the equator. a) By family descent; b) Sold at Sotheby's London, "Atlases, Maps, Topographical Prints and Travel Books", 2 May 1985, Lot 220 (buyer: Quaritch); c) Sold by Quaritch c.1987 to Cecil George Whitmont (1912-1991), Australian collector, with his bookplate and a selection of paperwork (formerly in an improvised acetate rear pocket). Anthony Hill, "Isaac Manley - Servant on Endeavour to Admiral", Captain Cook Society. Quarto (245 x 195 mm). With 182 leaves, all but 3 pages filled in neat manuscript. Original quarter calf, parchment sides. Housed in custom green cloth solander box, green spine label. Wear from shipboard use, contents clean: very good.
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