Description:

WILLIAM LIVINGSTON
(1723 - 1790) American Revolutionary soldier and politician, he served as a brigadier general until his election as Governor of New Jersey and as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, he signed the Constitution. Fine content A.L.S. as Governor of New Jersey, 2pp. 4to., Trenton, Apr. 5, 1781, to Samuel Huntington, whom he addresses as "His Excellency/the President of Congress". In part: "...I...received a letter from General Forman...He informs me that he has intelligence from New York that a large imbarkation [sic] is preparing - General Clinton to command in person - their destination for the Delaware and that Clinton is to take post at New Castle...I know that General Forman's intelligence has generally found true and I thought his account of such importance as immediately to apply to Col. Neilson for an Express, which he readily furnished...". David Forman (1745-1797), a brigadier general in the New Jersey militia, was better known as "Black David" for his excessive cruelty not only towards the enemy but towards those against the Revolution. A friend of George Washington, he headed a spy network in New Jersey which would report to Congress on British movement along the coast. Interestingly, Forman's information proved telling: in a letter penned on Apr. 10, 1781, Continental Congress member Isaac Motte wrote that: "...tis reported, that a strong embarkation...at New York...has sailed for Delaware Bay & that Genl. Clinton is to command in Person. He will try to take Post at New Castle...". Expertly inlaid and in fine condition.

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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