Description:

JAMES WILKINSON
(1757 - 1825) American general, served as a captain in Benedict Arnold's unsuccessful Quebec campaign. Later he was Gen. Horatio Gates' deputy adjutant general in the Saratoga campaign and was given the honor of bringing to Congress the news of General Burgoyne's defeat. Wilkinson was also involved in the Conway Cabal, in scheming with Burr and in Spanish intrigues. Excellent content A.D.S. signed three times, 1p. 4to., Philadelphia, July 9, 1774 (with later amendments), a fancily-penned commitment by an obviously love struck Wilkinson to Nancy Biddle, a Quaker and member of a wealthy Pennsylvania family. This "contract", probably meant for no one's eyes but Wilkinson's, is written in three parts, each signed. The first: "...Witness Heaven, Earth and every Sacred Power, that I am hereby held & firmly bound by every Tie & Honour and Affection, to make a tender of my Heart, hand & fortune...to the very dear and truly amiable Miss Nancy Biddle...If I do not willingly, and with joy comply with this Obligation, may the divine Author...show his most direful Vengeance...". In the next entry, somewhat later, he tempers his promise: "...in case the above pattern of Female excellence should Marry...it shall be rendered Void and of no Effect; but should she continue in the present unengaged state, it shall be of full Force...". In the short period which followed, their relationship must have taken a blow, as on Oct. 15, 1774 he angrily attests: "The Lady to whom this Obligation was given, has since fell a sacrifice to the Joint diseases of Self-Conceit, Affectations and Coquetry; it is therefore Void...". Folds and a few trivial spots, else very good. Despite Wilkinson's oath and his legendary bad temper, four years later, on Nov. 12, 1778 he would marry Nancy Biddle...and thereby gain access to her family's very substantial wealth.

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February 19, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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