Lot 14: The Hon. John Skottowe, Governor of St. Helena, in scarlet coat and grey embroidered waistcoat, holding a cane and letter addressed 'The Hon. John Skottowe Governor of St. Helena', standing three-quarter length in a landscape, shipping off

David Martin (1736-1798)
The Hon. John Skottowe, Governor of St. Helena, in scarlet coat and grey embroidered waistcoat, holding a cane and letter addressed 'The Hon. John Skottowe Governor of St. Helena', standing three-quarter length in a landscape, shipping off Jamestown beyond
signed and dated 'D Martin 1784' (lower right)
oil on canvas
50 x 39¾in. (127 x 101cm.)

Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy Galleries, The Scottish Fine Arts and Print Club Loan Exhibition , 1937.

with Messrs. Ellis & Smith, London.

VARIOUS PROPERTIES


John Skottowe, Governor of St. Helena from 1764 to 1782, was a son of Thomas Skottowe, on whose farm at Great Ayton Cook's father had been hind and James Cook had spent his early years. 'Governor Skottowe filled the chair eighteen years, to the satisfaction of his employers. During this period, the leaden pipes that now convey the water from Chub's Spring to the Wharf were laid down; the church in James Town, and the officers' barracks, were also erected. On the 25th of July, 1782, he resigned the government to Mr. Corneille, and shortly after proceeded to England.' (T. H. Brooke, A History of Island of St Helena , London, 1808)

Cook anchored at St. Helena on the return leg of both his first and second voyages. His first visit was a brief one from 1-5 May; the second visit being as brief as his first, on the return leg of the second voyage, from 15-21 May 1775. During his second visit he spent several days ashore: 'I received a very pressing invitation, both from Governor Skottowe and his Lady, ... to take up my aboad with them during my stay'. Cook was offered 'the use of a Horse to ride out whenever I thought proper', an offer he took up daily. His journal entries were long and glowing about the countryside, the industriousness of the men, and the women, who he described as 'celebrated beauties'. The entries made amends for Banks's criticisms of the island which had featured (and were credited to Cook) in Hawkesworth's account of the first voyage.