Lot 133: A GEORGE III STERLING SILVER GILT SNUFF BOX WITH PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION OF LACHLAN MACQUARIE

Maker's mark of Thomas Pemberton and Robert Mitchell, London 1816
Rectangular of slightly curved outline, the hinged cover with a wide border cast with fruiting vines, the central engine-turned panel engraved with a crest and M in gothic script, the sides and base with panels of engine-turned engraving, with the inscription to the inside of the cover:
This SNUFF BOX is presented
to
ALEXANDER GRAY ESQRE;
by
M.Genl Macquarie.
as a small token of his
sincere esteem and friendship.
22nd May 1824
2.8 cm. (1 1/8 in.) high, 8.7cm. (3 3/8 in.) wide, 5.4 cm. (2 1/8 in.) deep,, 134 gr. (4.3 oz.)

Macquarie, after tendering his resignation three times, finally left the colony of NSW in February 1822. Commissioner Bigge's critical "Report of the Commissioner of Inquiry into the State of the Colony of New South Wales" was in circulation in London on his return so Macquarie immediately presented his own report of his administration, called on his patron Lord Bathurst, and was presented to George IV by Viscount Castlereagh, who by all reports received him most graciously. About the Bigge Report, Macquarie made no comment whatsoever, but he soon went home to Scotland, and then toured the Continent with his Family until mid 1823. Upon his return to London he was most concerned to secure his pension after the publication of the second and third volumes of Bigge's Report led to widespread criticism. The death of his patron Castlereagh deprived him of much needed support. After a brief sojourning Scotland on his estate at Mull, the purchase of which had ruined him, he returned to London on 24th April 1824 to continue his fight for a pension, the need for which had become urgent due to his difficult circumstances. He finally received assurance from Bathurst that he would receive 1000 pounds per annum, but unfortunately did not live to enjoy it, dying in London on 1st July 1824.
Alexander Gray is listed as Lieutenant (1792) in the 77th Regiment of Foot of which Macquarie was Captain Lieutenant and later Major of Brigade during his time in India (1788-1800).

A 10% Goods and Services tax (G.S.T) will be charged on the Buyer's Premium on all lots in this sale.