257. GEORGE WASHINGTON  (1732 - 1799) First President of the United States and commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. His franking signature "G. Washington", as Commanding General of the Continental Army on folded cover addressed in another hand to "Brigr. Genl. Wayne at Fort Montgomery" with "Public service" endorsement, receipt docketing "5th July 1779 from Genl. Washington". On July 15, 1779, General "Mad" Anthony Wayne led a nighttime assault on the British Fort at Stony Point on the Hudson River. The Americans took the Fort, which gave an important boost to morale at a low point in the war. Congress awarded him a medal for the victory, and in November 1779 the North Carolina General Assembly honored Wayne with a county in his name. In late May, 1779, British Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton sent a force of about 8,000 men up the North (or Hudson) River with the intention of drawing General George Washington's Continental Army out of its lair at West Point. By June 1, Crown forces had occupied and begun fortifying Stony Point, New York on the west side of the river and Verplanck's Point on the east side. This move effectively closed King's Ferry, a major river crossing at that narrow point in the river, about 10 miles south of West Point. Washington observed construction of the fortifications through a telescope from atop nearby Buckberg Mountain. Historians also believe he used intelligence gathered from local merchants to get a better idea of the strength of the garrison, the types of watchwords in use, and the placement of sentries - especially on the south side of the point, which could not be seen from Buckberg. During this time he formulated a plan of attack and selected a commander to lead it: Anthony Wayne of Pennsylvania. Expertly silked to reinforce wear along folds and minor repairs to back panels and edges, the signature is bold and dark with the entire front panel in attractive condition. $7,000 - 9,000