ELKANAH WATSON (1758-1842) American patriot who delivered one-and-one half tons of powder to Washington on behalf of his employer John Brown, whom he later freed from British captivity, carried dispatches to Franklin in Paris, and spent 18 years promoting the construction of the Erie Canal. Interesting content A.L.S. 3pp. 4to., Albany, Feb. 15, 1811 to merchant Stephen van Rensselaer, a lengthy, well-considered proposal by Watson to work van Renssalaer's land planting trees to be used for firewood, in exchange for annual payments plus interest. Very good. $100-150