Colonial and Revolutionary War
LIVE AND INTERNET AUCTION - PART II
BEGINS AT 12 NOON EASTERN, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2002

600. MARIE JOSEPH DE LAFAYETTE (1757 - 1834) French statesman and military officer who served as a Major General under Washington and was instrumental in the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown. A.L.S. "Lafayette" 1p. 8vo. [La Grange?, n.d.], in French to a deputy colonel in Paris. Lafayette is concerned about the financial status of an octogenarian friend, the founder of the School of Commerce which is "...much esteemed by Mr. Lafitte". As the man's pension had been revoked, he hints: "...a favorable report forwarded to the Minister will save these fine old people from destitution...". One small tear in left margin, else near fine.$700-900

601. FRIEDRICH WILHELM VON STEUBEN (1730 - 1794) American Revolutionary general who reported to Washington at Valley Forge to undertake the training of troops, later led Continental Army forces at Monmouth and Yorktown. Scarce A.D.S. "Steuben" 1p. oblong 8vo., New York, Mar. 3, [n.y.], a sight draft ordering "Please to send me by the Bearer a check on the Bank for fifty Dollars...". Clipped corners, not affecting text, otherwise very good. $800-1,000

602. JEFFERY AMHERST (1717 - 1797) British Major General who captured Louisbourg from the French in 1758. Served as Governor General of British North America but left the office due to Pontiac's Rebellion and later served as colonial Governor of Virginia. A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., London, Mar. 19, 1796 to a Mr. Windham, in part: "...[I have received] a Copy of the Attestations of three Sergeants of the flank companys of the 4th Battn of His Majesty's 60th Regiment , that no Clothing was issued to the said Companys for the years 1793 & 1794. I have not received any answer to what I wrote to the commanding officers of the Battalions in the W. Indies on the said subject. I will immediately write that ample Justice may be done...". Slight toning, otherwise boldly penned and very good.$600-800

603. SARATOGA CONVENTION ARMY Manuscript D.S. 1p. oblong legal folio, Fredrick Town [Md.], Feb. 1, 1781. A summary of the "Present State of the Brittish [sic] Troops under the Convention of Saratoga..." listing the numbers of commissioned and staff officers, as well enlisted men present in Fredrick, Maryland totaling 984 men. Usual folds, light soiling, otherwise very good condition.$700-900

Food for British troops in New York

604. SUPPLYING HOWE'S ARMY Manuscript document, 1p. legal folio, "Comptroller's Office", July 8, 1776. Four days after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Henry Burnbury in the British Comptroller's Office certifying that "...In Obedience to your Lordships order...On a Certificate for provisions delivered into his majesty's Storehouses at Cork...for 3,000 of his Majesty's forces, serving under General Howe in North America... I...humbly Report to your Lordships, that I have examined the Certificate...for sundry Quantities... Which are as follows Viz: 114 Tierces Containing 35,910 pounds of Mess Beef, at 315 each Tierce -- 150 Tierces & 459 Barr, Cont. 143,640 pounds of Mess Pork, at 135 each Tierce & 210 each Barrr.-- 63 Casks containing, 19,500 pounds of Oatmeal... And amounts According to Contract, to the sum of L3,694..5..7 1/2..." This return only accounts for a fraction of the provisions and stores that were sent to New York in preparation for invasion. The combined strength of Howe and the fleet in New York Harbor during the summer of 1776 was in the tens of thousands. Minor tears at bottom margin, well clear of text, otherwise very good condition.$400-500

605. CLEMENT BIDDLE (1740 - 1814) "The Quaker General" organized and led the "Quaker Blues" against the British and fought under Nathanial Greene as well. A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 1785, to William B. Magreuder apologizing that "...The lines of the Land are not finally ascertained as the Assignees & creditors in general are extremely anxious & preparing to have the monies collected to bring on a Dividend more especially as we expect the Attachment in Virginia to be decided about this Time...". Several small holes at fold intersections, light soiling, small loss to address leaf form seal tear, otherwise very good condition.$200-300

606. JOSEPH BLOOMFIELD (1753 - 1823) Revolutionary War officer who saw action at Monmouth and Brandywine. Later served as Governor of New Jersey. D.S. as Governor of New Jersey, 1p. folio, Trenton, Mar. 12, 1806 appointing Benjamin Beach as Justice of the Peace for Morris County. Light soiling, margins a little ragged, otherwise very good. $300-400

607. ZEBULON BUTLER (1731 - 1795) American army officer who served in the French and Indian War, led settlers into the Wyoming Valley and commanded the fort there when it was attacked by hostile Indians. Butler escaped with his life, but his command was massacred. D.S. "Zeb. Butler Col", 1p. 12mo., Camp Philipsburgh, Aug. 13, 1781 to the "Hono.[rable] Committee [of the] PayTable Hartford". Butler certifies that Philip Henry Slist, a soldier in the late Colonel Warner's regiment and now in the fourth Connecticut Regiment, had served in the Continental Army since January 1778 and was an inhabitant of Windam, Connecticut. Moderate soiling to some spots, overall legible, rough margins, otherwise very good.$150-200

608. MOSES CLEVELAND (1754 - 1806) Revolutionary War officer and founder of Cleveland, Ohio (1796). Bold closing and signature "Yr Obt M. Cleveland" on a small slip, taken from a letter. Very good. $150-200

Appointing a member of Burgoynes' light dragoons

609. GEORGE II (1683 - 1760) King of England from 1727 - 1760 and military leader whose forces were successful in India, Canada and at sea. Good content Partly-printed D.S. "George R" 1p. oblong folio, "Court at St. James", Dec. 11, 1759, appointing Lowther Leigh Spencer as a captain "...in Our Regiment of Light Dragoons whereof Our Trusty and Wellbeloved John Burgoyne Esqr. is Lieutenant Colonel Commandant...". Burgoyne would, of course, achieve fame for his ill-fated 1777 expedition which resulted in the capture of his entire army at Saratoga. Matted and framed with an early engraving of George II. Heavy creases not affecting George's signature, light soiling, otherwise very good condition. Not examined out of frame. $300-500

610. WILLIAM SAMUEL JOHNSON (1727 - 1819) Signer of the Constitution and President of Columbia College, now Columbia University. Manuscript L.S. 1p. oblong 12mo., Stratford, Oct. 24, 1780 to Oliver Wolcott Jr., requesting that he "...Pay to Capt. Isaac Tomlinson of Woodbury Twenty five pounds...". Matted and framed. Usual folds, otherwise very good condition. Unexamined out of frame. $200-300

611. THOMAS MCKEAN (1735 - 1817) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the Continental Congress and Governor of Pennsylvania. Partly-printed D.S. 1p. oblong 4to., [n.p., Penn., n.d.], a blank summons form with intact paper seal. Tastefully framed. Usual vertical folds, with very light soiling, overall very clean and in very good condition, unexamined out of frame. $200-300

612. ROBERT TREAT PAINE (1731 - 1841) American jurist, member of the Continental Congress, signer of the Declaration of Independence and first Attorney General of Massachusetts. Manuscript D.S. 1p. 4pp. 12mo., "Bristol Co.", July 30, 1765, his signature "Paine" as attorney on the last page of a pair of documents concerning legal action taken over a debt. Weak folds and some marginal wear, clear of his large, dark signature.$150-250

613. ROBERT TREAT PAINE Manuscript D.S. 1p. 12mo., [n.p.], 1769, his signature "Paine" as attorney at the bottom of a legal expense accounting. Very good. $100-150

614. PHILIP SCHUYLER (1733 - 1804) American Revolution major general commanding the northern department, member of the Continental Congress and one of the first senators from New York. A.D.S. 1p. on a small slip, Dec. 25, 1764, a receipt for 146 pounds "...For my services for the public from the 25th day of December Last...". Light soiling, left margin ragged, otherwise very good. $300-500

615. WILLIAM SHIRLEY (1693 - 1771) Colonial Governor of Massachusetts and Commander in Chief of British forces in North America in the French and Indian War. D.S. "W. Shirley" as governor in the Bahamas, 1p. oblong large 4to., New-Providence Island, Nov.25, 1766 to Surveyor John Pratt, in part: "...You are hereby directed...to measure...and laid out unto John Cooper of New Providence...a Tract of Land...". John Cooper was a merchant and possible slave owner from Charleston, S.C. Fold affects two letters of signature with some minor paper loss at folds, else boldly signed and very good. $150-200

616. WILLIAM SHIRLEY D.S. "W. Shirley" as a governor in the Bahamas, 1p. oblong large 4to., New-Providence Island, July 30, 1767, to Surveyor John Pratt, in part: "...You are directed...to measure and lay out unto John Brown Esq. a certain Lot of land in the town of Nashua...". Fold through one letter of signature and one hole affects nothing, else boldly signed and very good.$150-200

Implementing Jay's Treaty

617. JOHN TRUMBULL (1756 - 1843) American painter who studied under Benjamin West, known for his depictions of Revolutionary war battles and portraits of George Washington. Interesting content A.L. (unsigned) 1p. 4to., London, Sept. 24, 1798 to Stephen Kingston of Philadelphia regarding a claim for a captured ship, in part: "...The Case of the Robert has been twice brought before the Commissioners, and on both occasions it has been dismissed as not being a Case within our power to take cognizance of -- We understand the condition on which you received the Sum agreed from the Captors, to have here that you should not appeal, but submit the question for further compensation to Arbitration in Bermuda; -- We have no right to examine whether the Sum arbitrated be sufficient, or whether the bond and agreement were wise; but only to give remedy in cases where it cannot be obtained in the ordinary course of judicial proceedings; and that course been be gone thru before A case can come to us...". Trumbull was appointed a member of a committee based in London to settle claims under Article 7 of Jay's Treaty of 1794 which dealt with settlements for British ships captured by American warships, hence his refusal to take up the matter of the Robert. Small loss at bottom right, not affecting text, mounted along left margin to another sheet, otherwise very good to fine condition.$200-300

618. JONATHAN TRUMBULL Manuscript D.S. 1p. 4to., Hartford, Apr. 1, 1769, a Writ of Summons demanding an man's appearance before the justice of the peace for Windham County to answer for an unpaid debt. Separated at vertical and horizontal folds, but paper still relatively clean. $40-60

619. JAMES WILSON (1742 - 1798) Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which he helped to frame, also a member of the Continental Congress. D.S. "Wilson", an endorsement on the verso of an arrest warrant 2pp., 8vo., Carlisle, [Pa.], July 24, 1773 ordering the Sheriff of Cumberland County to seize a debtor's assets. Folds a bit weak and toned, otherwise very good. $150-200

620. REVOLUTIONARY WAR NEGRO LABORERS Unusual manuscript D.S. 1p. legal folio, New York, ca. Jan, 31, 1783, a pay list of 44 "...Negro Labourers employed in the Fuel Branch [cutting wood] of the Commissary General's department in the Garrison of New York from the 1st to 31st January 1783 Inclusive...Each and every one of the Negro Labourers...have been paid the sums affixed...". Signed by two officers at bottom. Near fine condition. Revolutionary War military documents pertaining to blacks are rare! $200-300

Converting the Mohawks

621. MOHAWK INDIANS Fine content A.L.S. 1p. legal folio, Sudbury, [Mass.] June 20, 1751 signed by twenty missionary representatives of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The letter, written to one General Williams in London, reads in large part: "...We take this opportunity of informing you in such a hasty time...in these Circumstances we can draw up, that we have diligently attended to the memorial of the Case of the Mohawk Indians which you have Transmitted to us, by Doctor Doddridge. We Cannot upon so short a Warning Pretend to you any thing Positively & Particularly upon the subject, but in the General we beg leave to assure you that we look upon the matter as of Great importance, & that we shall be ready in our Respective Stations to Promote so Pious a scheme, which we apprehend may be best Pursued as Part of that design of ERECTING a Society among the Protestant Dissenters for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign Parts which we hear some of our Brethren in London & in the Country are Projecting & in which we shall be ready to Concur according to our Respective Abilities...". The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was established in 1701 and soon began missionary work with the Mohawks in 1703. With separate address leaf. Weak folds with partial separations, repaired with archival tape on verso, a few marginal tears, otherwise very good.$300-500

622. TORY PRISONER LIST War-date D.S. 2pp. legal folio, Albany, Mar. 22, [1783] entitled "A schedule of the prisoners now confined in the Gaol of the City & County of Albany with the Causes of their Imprisonment". The list includes the usual suspects in jail for sentences imposed by the Superior court for various offences, but also includes one "George Man -- Committed for High Treason", as well as "Isaac Pool and Henry Ten Eyck", both "Confined by the Commissioners of Conspiracies". Henry Ten Eyck appeared on a 1766 Albany petition opposing the stamp act. We can only guess what led to his imprisonment sixteen years later. Usual folds, a few chips to extreme margins, otherwise very good condition. $200-300

For a veteran of Guilford Court House

623. REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION CLAIMS Manuscript D.S. 3pp. legal folio, Clinton County, Ohio, Sept. 1820 in which Dennis O'Laughlin swears that he "...enlisted as a private soldier [at Philadelphia] to serve during the war into the company of Captain Street in the eleventh regiment...under Brigadier Gen Wayne in the Pennsylvania line he served in this regiment until after the battle Guilford [Courthouse] immediately after said battle the said eleventh regiment was transferred to and consolidated with the tenth Virginia regiment he continued in the last mentioned regiment until the treaty of peace...he was in the battles of Germantown, Brandywine, at Trenton, at Monmouth, at Guilford...". O'Laughlin, illiterate, signs twice with his mark on the claim. Together with another D.S. 3pp. legal folio, Canton County, Ohio, Sept. 1820 also signed twice with an "x" by Dennis O'Laughlin, an affidavit of inspection of O'Laughlin's property for qualification for a pension. Two pieces, light soiling, usual folds, overall very good condition. $100-150

Who lost Canada?

624. WAR OF 1812 INVESTIGATION An intriguing A.Ms. 4pp. legal folio, [n.p., n.d. c. 1812] entitled "Remarks On the failure of the Army of Niagara to cross into Canada", being an apparent defense of General Alexander Smyth's conduct in the Niagara Campaign of 1812. Smyth, whose lack of support resulted in Van Rensselaer's defeat at Queenstown, was ironically appointed in his place. Smyth, who had little practical military experience, led an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Niagara River and capture Fort. Erie. The resulting defeat exposed Smyth to accusations of cowardice. Peter B. Porter publicly denounced Smyth after this disgrace and even challenged him to a duel. James Madison later remarked that Smyth's "talent for military command was...equally mistaken by himself and by his friends". The manuscript details Symth's defense of his actions, and might very well be a contemporary account of Smyth's public address in which he defended his actions. It reads in question and answer format concluding that the defeat was due to a lack of supplies for the troops as well as the inability of Colonel Winder's men to land on the Canadian side of the Niagara River: "...'The successful landing of the whole force under your command was only prevented by the misfortune of a number of boats not having landed & the consequent mistake of Leiut Angers, by which we were ignorant of the success of Capt. King, until the enemy had time to collect his scattered forces, bring up reinforcements, & prepare some field artillery to oppose us.'...". Very good condition. $100-150

625. AMERICAN SHIPS CAPTURED ON THE HIGH SEAS A good content A.L.S. by merchant Samuel Hazard, 2pp. 4to., Copenhagen, May 18 & 23, 1811, to Jacob Barker sending intelligence on American ships which had been captured by French privateers. In part: "...There is a report in town that the American property sequestered in France since 1st. Nov. has been released on condition of the vessels taking 2/3rd the amt. of their cargoes in silks...Herewith is a list of the American vessels still detained at the different parts of this country as complete as I have been able to make it. The ship Hercules Capt. Snow of N. Bedford, Brig Catherine of Boston & ship Atlantic of N. York all bound to Russia have been captured by a French privateer & carried into Dantrich...". Light soiling, usual folds, otherwise very good. $200-300

626. REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECEIPT D.S. 1p. on a small slip, Cambridge Mass., May 8, 1775 in which Capt. Benjamin Pollard notes receipt for "...Provision for two days for Eight Men Carpenters of the Army...". Very good. $60-80

627. MARYLAND RATIFIES THE CONSTITUTION Contemporary report of Maryland's ratification of the U.S. Constitution as reported in The Daily Advertiser, New York, May 7, 1788, 4pp. folio. Page two lists the Maryland county representatives who approved the document along with the order of march for the great Federal Procession in Baltimore on May 1, 1788. Ragged margins, folds with scattered tears, a few spots, overall good condition. $60-80

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