Autograph letter signed by Royalist Commander Jose Ramon Rodil Peruvian War 1824

RODIL, Jose Ramon (1789-1853). Autograph letter signed, Real Felipe, 9 April 1824, to Commander William Fanshawe Martin (1801-1895), commanding HMS Fly at Callao.
 
Single sheet, approximately 180x250mm, written on one side in Spanish and signed by Royalist commander Jose Ramon Rodil. Old folds, creasing and handling marks, with areas of old mounting residue and paper adhesion to the reverse; some light staining and toning, but complete and clearly legible. Very good.
 
A scarce letter from the Peruvian War of Independence, written little more than a month after Rodil assumed command of the Royalist fortress of Real Felipe at Callao. Rodil replies to Commander William Fanshawe Martin concerning a British subject who had been detained and imprisoned by the Royalist authorities as a suspect (likely accused of spying). He explains that Martin has not supplied the man's full name and that he cannot properly deal with the matter until given his "nombre y apellido". In the meantime Rodil sends Martin the latest public papers.
 
The recipient, William Fanshawe Martin, was then commander of HMS Fly on the Royal Navy's South America Station. During the disturbances at Callao he was closely involved in protecting British merchants, property and subjects. His service there contributed to his promotion to Captain on 5 June 1824, less than two months after this letter. Martin later rose to Admiral, served as First Naval Lord and became Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet.
 
Jose Ramon Rodil was one of the principal Spanish Royalist commanders in the closing stages of the independence wars. He assumed command of Real Felipe on 1 March 1824 and subsequently conducted its celebrated prolonged defence, refusing to surrender even after the main Spanish army was defeated at Ayacucho. Real Felipe finally capitulated in January 1826, the last major Spanish stronghold in Peru. Rodil later returned to Spain, where he pursued a prominent military and political career, becoming the President of the Government of Spain. A scarce letter about a detained British subject during the defence of Real Felipe between the commander of Royalist forces and the British commander in charge of protecting British interests.