A FINE SILVER-GILT-MOUNTED SWORD PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM AUGUSTUS MONTAGU OF HIS MAJESTY'S FRIGATE CORNWALLIS FROM THE OFFICERS OF THE TROOPS ENGAGED WITH HIM IN THE ASSAULT AND CONQUEST OF AMBOYNA, 29 FEBRUARY 1810, LONDON, 1811, MAKER'S MARK OF THOMAS PRICE, RETAILED BY RUNDELL, BRIDGE AND RUNDELL with curved blade double-edged for its last quarter, etched within a linear frame with the presentation inscription on one face and with "Amboyna" and the date on the other, each enriched with foliage and with some original blued and gilt decoration (small areas of pitting), silver-gilt hilt cast and chased in low relief, comprising a pair of langets each with a fouled anchor, scrolling quillon and knuckle-guard each decorated with acorns and oak foliage, lion head pommel formed in the round, and integral grip decorated with an oval decorated with the reclining figure of Neptune on the front and an elaborate trophy-of-arms on the reverse, in its fishskin-covered wooden scabbard encased in silver-gilt, decorated with three differing scenes from the Labours of Hercules on each face, the remaining surface engraved with garlands, foliage, and trophies-of-arms, an openwork oval panel with a central fasces, a pair of scrolling serpents forming suspension loops, the locket signed by the retailer and remaining in very good to fine condition throughout 74.8cm; 29¾ in blade 'On the 1st of March the Cornwallis chased a Dutch man-of-war brig into a small bay on the north side of the island of Amblaw, in the neighbourhood of Amboyna. As the wind was light and variable, and night approaching, Captain Montagu sent the yawl, cutter, and jollyboat, under the command of Lieutenant Henry John Peachey, assisted by Mr. John Garland the master, and master's mate William Sanderson, to endeavour to bring the vessel out. After a fatiguing pull during the whole night, the boats found themselves, at daylight, close to the vessel which was the Dutch national brig Margaretta, mounting eight, but pierced for 14 guns, with a crew of 40 men. In the face of a heavy fire of grape and musketry, and of a brave defence by pikes and swords, Lieutenant Peachey and his party boarded and carried the brig, and that with so comparatively slight a loss as one man dangerously, and four slightly wounded. The Dutch had one officer killed and 20 seamen wounded…………..' taken from the Naval History of Great Britain volume V, 1808-11. Vice-Admiral Sir. William Augustus Montagu, Knt., K.C.H. and C.B. entered the navy in 1796 as first-class volunteer on board the Glatton under Captain Henry Trollope under whom he continued on the home station, in the Russell 74 (in which he was present in the victory at Camperdown), and Juste 80, until, transferred about the close of 1800 to the Sirius 38, in which he witnessed the surrender of the French frigate La Dédaigneuse. He was for four years on board the Dasher in the East Indies; was made Lieutenant Nov. 14, 1804, Commander, Oct. 31, 1805; and on the 8th June, 1807, acting Captain of the Terpsichore frigate, which appointment was confirmed by the Admiralty on the 8th Dec. following. In March, 1808, Capt. Montagu, whose ship mounted but 28 guns, and had only 180 men on board, fell in with, fought, and-with a loss to himself of 21 men killed and 22 wounded-fairly beat off the French frigate Sémillante of 40 guns and a crew of at least 300 men. Being soon after appointed to the Cornwallis 50 guns, he assisted in the redaction of the island of Amboyna, and captured the Dutch frigates Mandarin and De Ruyter. In Nov. 1810 he was entrusted with the command of the naval brigade landed to assist at the reduction of the Isle of France, during which his exertions were warmly approved by Major-Gen. Abercromby, particularly on the defeat of the French troops before St. Louis. On the 8th Sept. 1812 he was appointed to the Niobe 40, employed until June, 1814 on the Channel, American, and Lisbon stations. On the 29th Oct. 1819) he was appointed t