Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Braithwaite, John (1700?-1768?)
BRAITHWAITE, JOHN (1700?–1768?), was the author of 'The History of the Revolution in the Empire of Morocco upon the Death of the late Emperor Muley Ishmael,' a spirited work which was published in 1729, and translated into Dutch 1729, German 1730, and French (Amsterdam) 1731. In his preface Braithwaite describes himself as being in the service of the African Company, and as having, when very young, served in the fleet in Anne's reign, and then having been a lieutenant in the Welsh fusiliers, ensign in the royal guards, and secretary to his kinsman Christian Cole, British resident at Venice, with whom he travelled through Europe. He also states that he was in the Santa Lucia and St. Vincent expeditions, and was present at the siege of Gibraltar (1727). Thence he crossed to Morocco and joined the British consul-general, John Russel, in his expedition in the emperor's dominions, the experiences of which he relates in his book. The diary of the narrative extends from July 1727 to February 1728. A Captain Braithwaite is mentioned in the 'London Gazette' as being appointed in 1749 to command the Peggy sloop, and again in 1761 as commanding the Shannon; and in February 1768 John Braithwaite was 'removed' from the post of secretary to the governor of Gibraltar; but the connection of these notices with the subject of this article is merely conjectural.
[Gent. Mag. for 1749, 1761, and 1768.]