Colonial/Revolutionary War

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LANSING, JR., JOHN $85.00
38622-1
(1754 - 1829) American politician. Member of the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention, Secretary to General Schuyler (1775-1776), Mayor of Albany (1786), Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court (1790-1798), Chancellor of the State of NY who financed a topographic and geologic study of the Helderberg and Catskill Mountains by Amos Eaton.A.D.S., "John Lansing, Jr.", 1p. 4to., [Albany, N. Y.], Nov. 17, 1812. In part: "Please to pay Mr. Everitt four hundred & seventy nine dollars...taking his receipt in full on the...described contract..." On the verso is an explanation of Everitt's contract with Lansing's company. Light soiling, else very good.

STEPHEN MOYLAN $300.00
60047-53
(1737 – 1811) Irish American patriot leader during the American Revolutionary War. He had several positions in the Continental Army including Muster-Master General, Secretary and Aide to Washington, Quartermaster General, commander of the Fourth Continental Light Dragoons and commander of the Cavalry of the Continental Army. Scarce A.L.S. 1p. 4to., [n.p., Mar. 4, 1794, in part: "...I have a favorite object in view, which cannot be accomplished until I have the certificate for my commutation in possession...if you can...expedite this business...". Expertly silked on verso, very good. Moylan here may have been referring to his Revolutionary War pension.

RICHARD BUTLER $750.00
50501-1
(d. 1791) Pennsylvania officer in the American Revolution serving with Morgan's Rifles. Following the war, he became an Indian agent, negotiating the treaties at Fort Stanwix (1784) and Fort McIntosh (1785). Serving as a major general, he commanded the right wing at St. Clair's defeat at the Wabash, and was mortally wounded there on Nov. 4, 1791. Very fine content A.L.S. 2pp. legal folio with integral address leaf, Carlisle [Penn.] July 3, 1784 to General Edward Hand concerning preparations for his mission, together with Oliver Wolcott and Arthur Lee, to negotiate with the Six Nations in what would become the second Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784). "...I was honor'd with polite letter of the 11th June from Lancaster with copys [sic] of Resolves of Congress of 16th Apr & 30 June for which trouble I beg leave to appologize [sic] at the same time I return thanks...I have yet no Acct. from my Colleague Mr. Lee who promis'd to call this day the first week in this month to proceed to Philada together should he not come before Wednesday next I shall take up my line of march on Thursday - I have wrote Mr Wolcott & am in hopes he will meet me at Philada for many good reasons should he not think yrs sufficiently potent will have to go to N. York which I think a wrong place being far from the Financier [Robert Morris] & other Public Officers with whom we have business & I wish to know if our Assembly will take up this part of the business with spirit - Mr Montgomery has had some talk on the topicks [sic] we convers'd on at Annapolis [then the current seat of the Continental Congress] he thinks some writing should be drawn on the affair & sign'd before I set out by the whole, this I think may be well as we should really know our dependence should you agree...I shall take the liberty to drop you a line frequently to inform how matters go on & shall (if we get out) be punctual & particular in the grand affair - I have some thought it will be late but still am determined if my influence will have any weight not to be stop[p]ed by trifles & request you & all your friends influence with the Assembly to forward the business...". The "Resolves of Congress" of which Butler speaks here, concerned the mission of the commissioners. On April 16, "On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Edward] Hand, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [David] Howell, to whom was referred a motion of Mr. [Edward] Hand...[it was] Resolved, That the commissioners for treating with the Indian nations be informed that as Congress are desirous of having that important business effected with the utmost dispatch and at as little expence [sic] as possible, the fifth article of their instructions so far as it enjoins the holding of separate and distinct treaties with the several nations is dispensed with, and that they the said commissioners are hereby authorised [sic] to treat with the said several nations of Indians collectively or at different times and places as they shall find most conducive to the Interest of the United States". The Treaty of Fort Stanwix of 1784 served as a formal peace treaty between the United States and the Six Nations (Iroquois) who had sided with the British Empire during the Revolutionary War. The Iroquois delegation was initially led by Joseph Brandt who had arrived with instructions to cede no land. However, Brandt soon had to leave the conference for a planned visit to England, and the delegation, now led by Cornplanter and Captain Acorn Hill agreed to rescind claims to the Ohio Country. The treaty was soon rejected by most of the Iroquois Confederacy, as did the actual residents of the region: the Shawnee, Delaware and Mingo, necessitating a new round of negotiations and land purchases that would continue for the next two decades. A superb letter. Usual folds, integral address panel laid into a larger sheet, some minor losses from seal tear repaired with period paper, biography affixed to rear of address panel, else fine condition.

SULLIVAN, JAMES $250.00
60062-31
(1744 - 1808) American Revolutionary, a member of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety who later pressed for adoption of the Constitution. Good content A.L.S. 3pp. 4to. with integral address leaf, Boston, Oct. 18, 1807 to his son George Sullivan then living "In the family of His Excellency James Bowdoin Esqr. American Ambassador Paris" Sullivan writes, in part: "...I am glad that you and my other children approve my conduct. I shall soon leave them the world and hope to leave them with astain [?] on the character of their Father. Calumny has exhausted its strength, its efforts have ceased my enemies are at peace with me; but the business of government is anxious & laborious beyond any business I was ever engaged in before. I should be able to finish my year without acting from wrong or dishonorable motives. Keeping myself in the path of integrity and patriotism, thought this will raise numerous powerful enemies against me, yet my souls content will be great beyond expression... I have written on to Washington on behalf of Mr. O'Brian, but do not now the effect. Offices in our country appear to be disposed of very much as in those on the continent & surrounding Islands where you are. I have attended carefully to your communication in regard to the wool machine...The Law of Congress retrains the advantage of patent right to American inventions. I do not know how you can preserve the exclusive privilege, if you set it up without legal protection..." At the end he returns to politics, this time commenting "As to our public concerns the main object is to preserve our neutral position but, it [is] not certain that we shall be able to do it..." Usual folds, a few minor contemporary ink smudges, else fine condition.

CADWALADER, JOHN $200.00
60047-17
(1742-1786) Commander of Pennsylvania militia who served at Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. Later he challenged to a duel the plotter Thomas Conway, who had plotted to unseat Washington, shooting the latter in the mouth. Partly-printed D.S., a check in the amount of $66 (& 60/90 of a dollar) made out to John Nixon and accomplished at Philadelphia, June 16, 1785. Whether this is the John Nixon of Revolutionary War fame is unknown. Irregular margins, cross punch cancellation only slightly affects signature, else very good. Matted and framed with a portrait of Cadwalader.

HOWE, RICHARD $250.00
60047-6
(1725 - 1799) British admiral who sailed with his brother William to America to seek peace with the colonies and secure American loyalty to the crown. When his mission proved a failure, Howe commanded British naval forces for two years, during which he battled a superior fleet under the Count d'Estaing off Newport. His signature "Howe", on a small 8vo. partly-printed slip removed from a larger document, apparently a warrant dated at the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, Feb. 22, 1785 directed to Sir. Hugh Pallister and countersigned "Cha Bred" and "Arden" Fine condition. Matted and framed with a portrait of the admiral.

JOHN BURGOYNE $1,800.00
38373-1
(1722 - 1792) British Major General and playwright who commanded the British expedition from Canada in 1777 in an attempt to divide the colonies in two. A.L.S. "J. Burgoyne" 1p. 4to., "Hertford Street", June 7, [1789] requesting an additional ticket to the impeachment trial of Warren Hastings, who was accused of corruption while Governor General of India. He writes in part, "...A note I just now receive from the Duchess of Portland, as the only apology I can make for an irregular request on my part. The number of persons in the managers box yesterday shewed that the regulation of confining the admission of Clerks to one per manager was enlarged, or that persons had obtained places without your tickets. I would not [illeg.] but if you upon so many examples, you would grant me a ticket for Doctor Goodenough as my second clerk, I am sure you would much oblige that Duchess of Portland as well as myself...". Laid in to a larger sheet, usual folds, otherwise very good.

JEAN-BAPTISTE DE ROCHAMBEAU $300.00
60047-2
Interesting partly-printed D.S. "de Rochembeau" as governor-general of Santo Domingo 1p. folio, Cap-francais, [Feb. 18, 1803], a passport issued to Paul Pierre Thomalsson. Rochambeau, having survived the Terror, regained his former status, and in 1802 was sent to subdue the Haitian rebellion under the command of Toussaint l'Ouverture. Rochambeau was eventually overcome by a combination of resurgent Haitian rebels (who learned that the French intended to re-establish slavery on the island) and a British naval blockade. In 1804, he surrendered to British custody where he remained until 1811. Some blurring to ink, light toning, usual folds, else very good. Framed with a portrait of Rochembeau.

WILLIAM MOULTRIE $475.00
60047-18
(1730 - 1805) American Revolution major general who repulsed the British attack on Sullivan's Island, defended Charleston, and was captured and imprisoned by the British until 1782. A.D.S as South Carolina Governor, 1p., oblong 8vo., Charleston, April 29, 1793, regarding funds for Fort Johnson. In part: "...Pay to Maj Hamilton twenty pounds from the contingency fund for the use of Fort Johnson...". Boldly signed, "Willm Mountrie" with his distinctive paraph. Countersigned by WILLIAM HORT, the state treasurer. Verso is docketed with a note of funds received and signed by JOHN HAMILTON, Major. Light toning, minor folds, very good condition.

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