Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1798 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
microficheForm of materialManuscript
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Bruce was an Edinburgh historian (1745-1826) who was befriended by Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, Secretary of State for War. Through Melville's influence he was given several posts, including that of patent of King's Printer and Stationer for Scotland, Keeper of State Papers Office and Secretary for Latin language and historiographer to the East India Co. (See D.N.B.).
He compiled several valuable works, including some which were privately printed for the confidential use of members of the government.
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Scope and content
Detailed description of Bruce Manuscript (in the Oppenheimer Library).
There are two bound volumes numbered 4050 i and 4050 I. Both are transcripts of an manuscript by John Bruce entitled "Sketches of the political and commercial history of the Cape of Good Hope", but 4050 1 has 8 extra pages in front of the main work entitled "From the Earl of Macartney to General Dundas on his resigning the government to him". This copy is on microfiche.
4050 I is from the Phillips' Mss 20643, and was presented to Lord Macartney by John Bruce on 17 December 1796, just prior to Lord Macartney's leaving England to take up office as Governor of the Cape.
This work on the Cape consists of 443 pages and is divided into five sections.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
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Copyright Historical Papers Research Archive, The Library, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Notes area
Note
Alternate title: Bruce, John