Description:

JOHN MASON
(1766 – 1849) American merchant, banker, and military officer, first Commanding General brigadier general of the District of Columbia militia, and commissioner general of prisoners during the War of 1812. He also helped Madison and other federal officials escape into Virginia when the British burned the capital. Interestingly, Mason had a hand in the creation of our national anthem. He instructed Francis Scott Key to serve as a member of the party sent to meet with the British to discuss a prisoner release. It was while with the British and after learning of their plans to bombard Baltimore that Key was also held for a few days on a truce ship - where he viewed the bombardment of Fort McHenry, inspiring his famous poem. Rare A.L.S., 1p. 4to., Washington, May 9, 1818 to Commodore Thos. McDonough, Jr. Mason asks that the son of an old friend 'who is at present a Midshipman with Commodore Bainbridge in the Independence', be considered for a position on his correspondent's vessel. Fine condition. Macdonough achieved fame during the War of 1812, commanding the American naval forces that overpowered a British squadron at the Battle of Lake Champlain, part of the larger Battle of Plattsburgh, which helped lead to an end to that war.

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April 1, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000