Lot 122

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Description:

JOHN RUTLEDGE
(1739 - 1800) American politician, Revolutionary War President and Governor of South Carolina, Associate and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. RUTLEDGE CONGRATULATES LAURENS AND DISCUSSES ALLIANCES WITH THE CREEK AND CHEROKEE Superb content war-date A.L.S. "J Rutledge", 4pp. 4to., Charlestown, Nov. 29, 1777, to South Carolina merchant and politician HENRY LAURENS (1723-1792), the first president of the Continental Congress. In part: "... I thank you for they copy of Mr. Dudlie''s letter, & really know not, which to be more amazed at, his villainy, or his independence. I think, however, it was a pitiful shift of General Howe''s - how little does he yet know of America! Without doubt, your friends letters accompanying this [not present] give you the intelligence of an embargo at Cape Tancers and Martinique, the American vessels being ordered from the Cape, & any other news we have. I will therefore, only add, that India affairs both as to Creeks & Cherokees, wear a favorable aspect, & if we can keep ''em supplied with goods, I think they will continue peaceable ... A sloop is just arriving here, bound from Grenada to New York with 70 puncheons of rum & 6 hogsheads of sugar, for the King''s troops here. The mate & crew rose on the Captn, & brought her in here, so that, the resolve of Congress, declaring vessels & cargoes, in such circumstances, prize, came opportunity. Give me leave to congratulate you on being elected President of Congress ... I know the office will involve you in a multiplicity of business & a great fatigue, but you are a man of business, & will disregard fatigue, when enduring it assists our cause ..." British Gen. WILLIAM HOWE (1729-1814) was a pivotal figure in many of the early battles of the conflict, including the Battle of Bunker Hill and the capture of New York, and in 1777 executed an expedition to capture Philadelphia. During the conflict, the Creek tribes in the South were nominally allied with the British, and the Cherokee carried out frequent raids against settlers under the leadership of their chief, Dragging Canoe. Rutledge seems to hope that forging trade agreements with these tribes will encourage them to cease these attacks, and perhaps side with the Americans. Signed boldly at the conclusion in black ink. Folds, minor foxing, else very good. Housed in a custom archival folder.

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December 10, 2016 11:00 AM EST
Wilmington, DE, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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