Revolutionary War

2-1. “The Illustrious George Washington, Esq., was then announced President....”

Early reporting of the election of George Washington, and organization of the First Federal  Congress, in an excessively rare newspaper, The Connecticut Gazette, New-London, Apr. 10,  1789, 10¼ x 16¼, 4 pp. “New-York - Apr. 7 - Yesterday the Honorable the Congress of the  United States having a quorum of both houses, proceeded to business...The whole number of  suffrages was 69, and it appeared that his Excellency George Washington, Esq., was  unanimously elected....” John Adams followed, with 34 electoral votes, John Jay with 9, R.H.  Harrison 6, John Hancock 4, and Edward Telfair 1 vote only, with others obscured by history  in between. “The Illustrious George Washington, Esquire, was then announced President of  the United States of America, and his Excellency John Adams, Vice Pres....” Natural sheer area  at bottom of live area of second sheet, opening up to an irregular interior hole about ¼ x ½,  loss of several words in shipping news and an ad only, the historic text unaffected. Handmade  paper - especially large-size sheets - was costly and precious to small-town printers like this  newspaper’s Timothy Green, and little was wasted. Light tortoise-shell foxing, old quarter  folds, some dust toning of blank deckled margins of pp. 1 and 3, corner wear, else about very  good, the key news conspicuous, sharing the page with an oversize horse woodcut, and  suitable for display in a double-sided frame. Perhaps the earliest obtainable newspaper report  of Washington’s election: the news did not appear in Boston’s Massachusetts Sentinel til Apr.  11, and in New York’s own Gazette of the U.S. until Apr. 15. (On the 14th, Secretary of  Congress Charles Thomson arrived in Mount Vernon bringing news of Washington’s election;  Washington did not arrive in New York til Apr. 23.) A landmark event in eighteenth-century  America, and an evidently unique issue. The Library of Congress’ Chronicling America  database locates no examples of any date of this newspaper. WorldCat finds nothing of this  year. $3500-4500

2-2. Securing America from “impending Ruin” by its “internal Enemies.”

Timely newspaper, overflowing with the flavor of  Revolution – and with rich rendition of Paul Revere’s  first newspaper masthead design: The Boston-Gazette,  and Country Journal, May 19, 1777, 10 x 14¾, 4 pp.  Masthead with printer’s double impression, including  Paul Revere’s celebrated masthead illustration, showing  seated Britannia freeing a dove of peace from its cage  (Brigham plate 67). Including news of Danbury Raid,  and important front-page Act of Massachusetts-Bay -  with unusual usage of expression “United Struggles” in  conjunction with “United States” - “...For securing this  and the other United States against the Danger to which  they are exposed by the internal Enemies thereof.  Whereas the Enemies... are yet vigorously attempting to  destroy the Liberties, the Peace and Happiness...and it  (is) becoming the indispensible Duty of the Guardians  of each State to exert every Nerve to preserve them from impending Ruin...From wicked and inveterate  Dispositions, are secretly endeavouring to counteract the United Struggles now making for the  Preservation and Establishment of American Liberty...such Persons should be prevented  from...carrying into Execution the Plans adopted for the Destruction of their Liberties and  Priviledges...Selectmen...shall lay before the Town a List of all such Persons... (who) have been endeavouring since the 19th of Apr.  1775, to counteract the United Struggles...When any Person shall be charged with being guilty of Treason, Murder...punished with  Death...(or) to be sent on board a guard-ship...until the said board of war can transport such persons off the continent to some part of  the West-Indies, or Europe....” Also on p. 1, “Resolved, That no Soldier inlisted into the Continental Army shall be arrested for any  Debt...unless it amount to more than 15 Pounds....” Inside, order that “Militia...should be equipped with Every Thing necessary for  immediate Action, and hold themselves in Readiness to march at a Minute’s Warning to any Place within this or any of the United  States that may hereafter be attacked by our unjust and cruel Enemies. And the Selectmen of the several Towns are directed to provide  Town-Stocks of Ammunition....” “An Act for taking up and restraining Persons dangerous to this State...At a Time when the Public  Enemy have actually invaded some of our Neighbouring States, and threaten an Invasion of this State...Any Sheriff...shall have full  Power to break open any Dwelling House or other Building or Apartment, by Day or by Night, in which they shall suspect any Person  required to be apprehended...is concealed....” “A great Number of American Vessel(s) have lately been taken by the Men of War on the  Antigua Station, and by piratical Vessels cruizing without Commissions...,” listing ships recently seized. “Very favourable Accounts  were received from the Creek Nation of Indians - a Nation that has been long and assiduously tampered with, and stirred up, by British  Agents, to commit those Barbarities upon us....” “...A Letter...says they lost 100 Men in the Danbury Affair & the same Letter adds, that  the Hessians are a Pack of d--d Paltroons, and that he (the Writer) had much rather have Dealings with the Rebels than with them.”  Extract from Maj. Gen. Heath’s orders, providing some context for militia and the bearing of arms: “It is with inexpressible  Pleasure...the Gen. observes the Zeal discovered by the Regiment of Militia of the town of Boston, to support the great and noble Cause  of American Freedom...turned out a considerable Detachment of respectable Householders and Citizens, to reinforce the Garrison of  this Town, that the March of the Continental Troops should not be retarded....” Long list of deserters from Continental Frigate Warren  at Providence, several with “brown” or “dark” complexions, “brought up to the Sea.” Lengthy account of Danbury Raid, with list of  provisions destroyed by the British, including beef, pork, biscuits, rice, rum, Indian corn, wine, sugar, molasses, coffee, salt petre, “a  printing press complete,” and more. After the raid, the Americans “approached Ridgefield (Conn.), where they found a body of the  Rebels, under the command of Mr. Arnold...Two columns made a show of attacking, but part of the detachment charged them with  fixed bayonets, and put them to a total rout, with considerable laughter...The spirit of firmness shown by the troops on this occasion,  does them infinite honour....” News of surprise attack by British at Amboy (N.J.), “but our troops gave them such a warm reception,  that only two went back to inform the redoubtable [King] George, that the remainder were killed and taken....” From Fish-Kill, “twelve  Tories are condemned to the Gallows, and more are in Confinement, who it is thought will have the same salutary Medicine.” More  news, from Hartford, New-Haven, Boston, and elsewhere. Advertisement of Col. Rufus Putnam advising enlistees “to march  immediately to Cambridge....” Ads offering rewards for deserters, including “highlanders,” “Frenchmen,” and “dark complexion,”  probably blacks. Contemporary name Henry Hendly penned in margin. Old binding holes and soft quarter folds, light foxing, else very  good. This newspaper was called the “voice of resistance and mouthpiece of the Revolution”--dissertation by Sandra Moore, University  of Houston, 2005. Notwithstanding the superb content, newspapers with Paul Revere’s illustrations are now very scarce. Of the eight  Revere “newspaper and periodical cuts in lead” recorded by the American Antiquarian Society, this design, dated c. 1769, was his first.  The Library of Congress’ Chronicling America database locates only two examples of this issue (Yale and Historical Society of Penna.,  the latter possibly “mutilated and incomplete”). An example of this title, dated Oct. 1777, realized 4,375.00 in the important Caren  Archive sale, Bonhams, Apr. 2014. An American treasure. $2500-3500

2-3. From Valley Forge to the Cannon of Connecticut.

Autograph Document Signed twice by Capt. Elijah Backus, Norwich (Conn.), Aug. 19,1779, 5¾ x 8¼. Military order, by post rider to  Simon Huntington, Norwich, ordering “Uriah Rogers, Sgt., and William Morgan, Thomas Mor(r)is in his stead, Edward Wentworth,  Andrew Colking & William Story, agreeable to orders from Col. Abbott. You are Ordered to appear on Sat. next in the forenoon at Mr.  Azariah Lathrup’s well equipt. in order to March to Groton, where you are to act under the Direction of the Commander in New  London....” The British had already burned Fairfield, Norwalk, and New Haven; here elite American troops were being used for this  emergency assignment to protect New London, where another British attack was expected. Signer Backus served at Valley Forge, in the  7th Conn. In 1781, he commanded a company of Conn. militia defending New London. His Backus Iron Works assumed a vital role in  the Revolution: in addition to two 1,200-lb. iron anchors, Backus, “a very ingenious mechanic, manufactured a number of cannon for  the Revolutionary army; this he effected by welding together pieces of iron”--Connecticut Historical Collections..., 1837, p. 292. Uriah  Rogers was co-owner of the gunboat Princess Mary, protecting the Connecticut coastline beginning 1778--Naval Records of the  American Revolution..., Library of Congress, Charles Henry Lincoln, 1906, p. 421. The other patriots named will likely also bear  research fruit. Light toning at deckled right margin, second signature at very bottom, minor foxing, else very good. $180-240 

2-4. Linking the Richest Man in America – and the soon-to-be Poorest.

Handsome vellum deed signed by Penna. Gov. Thomas Mifflin, aide-de-camp to Washington, Quartermaster Gen. of Continental Army,  and Pres. of Continental Congress. Dec. 22, 1794, granting 1,100 acres of land called “Vermont” [in Northumberland County] between a  sugar tree and the beach for a pittance to William Bingham, member Continental Congress, founder of America’s first bank – and said  to be the richest man in America. 11½ x 19½, large petal seal, 6” diameter, center embossed, with Mifflin’s signature just below, a bit  light. Other seals on verso, one large, one smaller. Bingham acknowledges receipt of “Five Shillings Lawfull Money of Pennsylvania, to  be paid by Robert Morris and John Nicholson....” (Not signed by Morris or Nicholson.) With six additional signatures, including  Bingham, James Trimble (darkly penned with paraph), James Biddle, George Willing, Herman Baker, and Nath(aniel) Irwin.  Characteristic buttery toning on portions of verso from seal, one outer petal frayed, few others folded, else very fine. On July 3, 1776,  Bingham left America aboard a frigate, capturing several British ships, and returning with loads of guns and supplies. Bingham owned  millions of acres, and brokered the Louisiana Purchase; a “smaller” block of only two million acres in Maine became known as the  Bingham Purchase! Robert Morris, financier of the American Revolution, was one of only two Founding Fathers to sign all three key  documents, the Declaration of Independence (though first voting against it, on July 1, 1776!), Constitution, and Articles of  Confederation. Morris’ ship The Black Prince became the first ship of the new Continental Navy. The very first reference to the  Underground Railroad is attributed to a 1786 letter to Morris, from George Washington. Morris’ home was the actual Executive  Mansion, while Philadelphia was the nation’s capital during the administrations of Washington and Adams. As the foremost private  personage in Revolutionary America, his power and influence was surpassed only by George Washington. Morris was the first to use  the dollar sign in official documents. Though he owned more land than anyone in the United States, the Panic, beginning two years  after the date of this item, led to his financial ruin, and his incarceration in debtors prison for several years. An ironic item. $550-750 

2-5. A Physician Sells Boston Property.

Manuscript deed signed by eighteenth-century “Thomas Williams, Physician,” and his wife Abigail, Roxbury, Suffolk County (Mass.),  June 3, 1791, recorded July 30, 1791, 2 pp., 7½ x 12¼. Five additional signatures of witnesses, Justice of Peace, and Boston Registrar  Henry Alline. Selling to Ebenezer Clap 10 acres with buildings in Dorchester, “near the meeting House...,” bounded by property of Clap  and Samuel Coolidge. Superb “T.R.” pictorial watermark showing Miss Britannia(?) holding olive leaf and sceptre. Williams “was  remarkable for industry, generosity, temperance and activity...”--History of the Descendants of John Dwight of Dedham..., 1874, p.  825. Clap served as Lt. Col. around the time of Bunker Hill, in Col. Joseph Read’s Mass. Regt. Some caramel toning at margin from  handling, edge wear of blank pp. 3-4, else fine and attractive. $80-110 

2-6. Company of Matross.

Partly printed order to pay Revolutionary War Capt. James Stoddard, revealed by research to have served in a company of matross -  which assisted gunners in loading, firing, and sponging cannon and artillery. Conn. Pay-Table Office, May 30, 1783, 5½ x 6½. Made Lt.  in 1776, Stoddard served under Gen. Gates the following year, seeing the defeat of Burgoyne. Signed by Oliver Wolcott, Jr.,  Washington’s Sec. of Treasury, and son of the Signer, who led troops in N.Y. in 1776 as Brig. Gen.; by William Moseley; and by  Hez(ekiah) Rogers, aide-de-camp to Huntington, and a delegate to 1787 Constitutional Convention, ratifying on behalf of Conn.  Attractive printed border. Very light toning, else fine. A rather scarce finding of this arcane military unit in the Revolution (and much  earlier). $90-120

2-7. Haberdasher to Washington’s Favorite Unit.

Partly printed pay order to Chauncey Whittlesey, Revolutionary War Quartermaster Gen. in charge of purchasing clothing for  Connecticut troops in early part of the war. Feb. 12, 1782, 5¼ x 6. Whittlesey’s role was vital: during Valley Forge, many troops were  confined to quarters due to lack of clothing. Signed by William Moseley; Fenn Wadsworth, Brigade Maj. to Gen. James Wadsworth  1776-79; and vertically by (Maj. Gen.) J(edidiah) Huntington, a Son of Liberty, who wintered with Washington at Valley Forge. Signed  on verso by Daniel Larned. The Conn. Line was said to have been Washington’s favorite unit. Light toning, else fine and attractive. $70-  100

2-8. Served with Nathan Hale, 1776.

Partly printed Revolutionary War order to pay Maj. Edw(ar)d Shipman, signed by him on verso with title “Maj. Comdt.” Mar. 22, 1782,  5 x 6. A farmer and blacksmith, Shipman served in the French & Indian War and throughout the Revolution. One of his seven fellow  captains of the 19th Conn. Regt., camped in New York City on July 2, 1776, was – Capt. Nathan Hale. As the pressure grew, Gen.  Washington became desperate to learn the location of the planned British invasion of Manhattan Island. Seeking a spy, the only  volunteer was Nathan Hale. Shipman also served at the Siege of Boston and Battle of Saratoga, marched under George Washington  from Boston to N.Y., and encamped with him at Philipsburg. Also signed by Fenn Wadsworth, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., and J(edidiah)  Huntington (see preceding lots for biographical information). Minor tears at blank top and left edge, else about fine. A fascinating  assemblage of patriots’ signatures. $140-170 

2-9. The Stamp Act, and sending “Rogues and Villains” to America’s Plantations.

The Gentleman’s Magazine, London, Jan., 1768, 5 x 8¼, 48 pp. Referring to repeal of the hated Stamp Act, and brewing trouble in  America. A reader writes, “...The laws made here to tax the Americans affect them as a distinct body, in which the law makers are in no  manner whatever comprehended...Hence arises the essential difference between real and virtual representations, so much agitated.  Your correspondent observes, ‘that we are loaded with 130 millions of debt, great part of which was contracted by defending the  Americans, and therefore that they are bound in gratitude.’...” Nearly 3-pp. letter from another reader, “As the cause of the present ill  humour in America, and of the resolutions taken there to purchase less of our manufactures, does not seem to be generally  understood...The colonists universally were of opinion, that no money could be levied from English subjects, but by their own consent  given by themselves...Those prejudices are still so fixed and rooted in the Americans, that it has been supposed not a single man among  them has been convinced of his error... The person then who first projected to...raise money on America by stamps, seems not to have  acted wisely...He projected another bill that was brought in the same session with the stamp-act, whereby it was to be made lawful for  military officers in the colonies to quarter their officers in private houses. This seem’d intended to awe the people into a  compliance...Raising such a clamor against America, as being in rebellion...taking away from the province of New-York, which had  been the most explicit in its refusal, all the powers of legislation...The news of which greatly alarmed the people everywhere in  America...Nine colonies had been restrained from making paper money, being absolutely necessary to their internal commerce from  the constant remittance of their gold and silver to Britain...Add to these, the Americans remembered the act authorizing the most cruel  insult that perhaps was ever offered by one people to another, that of emptying our gaols into their settlements; Scotland...sending its  rogues and villains also to the plantations...These are the wild ravings of the at-present half-distracted Americans....” Full-page  copperplate of a new “Gravel Cart so contrived as to load itself by the drawing of the Horse.” Much more debate on pressing issues of  the day, poems, and a page of music. Disbound, shaken, else about fine. Pleasing toning. Fascinating British side of the debate, as the  slide toward rebellion became inexorable; by autumn of that year, the die was cast. Uncommon. $130-160 

2-10. A Singularly Identified Black Soldier in the Revolution.

Pay receipt of black soldier Cato Negro, for his Revolutionary War service in George  Washington’s favorite unit, the Connecticut Line. Hartford, Aug. 1, 1783. Partly  printed, 6½ x 8¼. “...£12.3.6, being the Balance due to Cato Negro on the first Day  of Jan., 1782 as stated by the Committees of the State and of the Army.” Signed “in  behalf of s(ai)d Negro” by Will(ia)m Bassett [a “Serjeant” in Capt. Parsons’ and  Rogers’ Companies]. A National Archives publication remarks on “Cato Negro”: “A  group of classical names (Caesar, Cato, Pompey, Pliny, Scipio, Primus, Nero,  Neptune, and Jupiter), which were probably given in jest initially, almost became  caste names among blacks in New England...There are names that have specific  racial connotation such as the surname or given name ‘Negro’ (e.g., Negro Jim and  Cato Negro)...”--List of Black Servicemen Compiled From the War Department  Collection of Revolutionary War Records, compiled by Debra L. Newman, National  Archives and Records Service, Special List No. 36. Indeed, another source contains  five listings for “Cato Negro” serving during the war, from the towns of Durham, East Windsor, Groton, Killingly, and Pomfret--  Connecticut’s Black Soldiers 1775-1785, David O. White, American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Conn. However the  National Archives source notes, “Because enlistments in the Revolutionary War were for very short periods, many men might have  reenlisted several times...,” and the same soldier may be represented by multiple entries. The present example is additionally  distinctive for the linkage of its payee and agent (Cato Negro and Bassett): impeccable vintage sources (copies accompany) show Cato  Negro and Bassett serving together – twice. With these firm findings, further discoveries on this Cato Negro may be possible. Docketed  “Cato Negro’s Rec(eip)t...Enter’d.” Pleasing cream toning, else in exceptionally fresh condition, and excellent; other such documents in  this genre are often heavily worn. Especially suited for display: “Cato Negro” is prominently penned with a flourish. Rare thus.  $3900-4500 “To render our country the happiest and freest spot upon the surface of the globe”

2-11. The Entrapment of Cornwallis, the Green Mountain Boys, and the original Cowboys.

Dramatic, important issue of The New-Hampshire Gazette, and General Advertiser, Portsmouth, Mar. 2, 1782, 9½ x 14¾, 4 pp. Rich in  Revolutionary War content, including: Extracts of letters from Sir Henry Clinton in N.Y., to Lord George Germaine: “In my dispatch of  the 20th of Aug., I had the honor to inform your Lordship, that Gen. Washington had suddenly quitted his camp at White Plains...He  passed Croton on the 19th ult...crossed the North-River, and, by the position he took, seemed to threaten Staten Island until the 29th,  when he suddenly moved towards the Delaware. At first I judged this to be a feint, but finding that he passed that river with some of his  avant guard...I immediately endeavoured, both by land and water, to communicate my suspicions to Lord Cornwallis...I have embarked  4,000 troops, with which I shall instantly proceed myself to relieve Lord Cornwallis...[Later:] The enemy being absolute masters of the  navigation of the Chesapeake...an infinite risk to any supplies sent by water...Under such dangerous circumstances, I thought it right to  call a Council of the general officers...The exertions of both fleet and army shall be made to form a junction with the squadron and army  in Virginia....” Letter from Cornwallis to Clinton, from Yorktown, dated Oct. 13, 1781 (news traveled slowly!): “Last evening the enemy  carried my two advanced redoubts on the left by storm...My situation now becomes very critical. We dare not show a gun to their old  batteries, and I expect new ones will be opened tomorrow morning. Experience has shown that our fresh earthen works do not resist  their powerful artillery, so that we shall soon be exposed to an assault in ruined works, in a bad position, and with weakened numbers.  The safety of the place is therefore so precarious, I cannot recommend that the fleet and army should run any risque in endeavoring to  save us....” (Four days later, Washington’s letter announcing Cornwallis’ capitulation at Yorktown was read before Congress.) Address  of House of Commons to the King: “...We see with concern that the war is still unhappily prolonged by that restless ambition which first  excited our enemies to commence it...We are terribly affected by your Majesty’s paternal expressions of concern for the real welfare of  your subjects...The principal view of the confederacy of our enemies was to foment and maintain the rebellion in North-America, and,  under the specious delusion of the establishment of an independent empire...The war is burthensome and expensive; but we are  convinced...that it is just and necessary....” From Philadelphia, gratitude to Robert Morris - financier of the Revolution - and prediction  of the war’s end in 1783: “...The widow, the orphan, the aged citizen, and the half-starved soldier sing for joy at the bare mention of the  name of Mr. Morris, to whose abilities and industry we are indebted for the revival of public and private credit...With such able  executive officers at the head of our government, there is nothing wanting but vigor and industry in the States... to bring the war next  year to an honorable conclusion, and to render our country the happiest and freest spot upon the surface of the globe.” Repeal of “old  continental money” by Virginia; “it had fallen above 2,000 for 1.” “...The inhabitants of the two western counties of Long-Island groan  under the most intolerable oppressions...British commissaries...leave just as much as they think sufficient for the consumption of the  family...The refugees and strag(g)ling soldiers from New-York are far more troublesome within the enemy’s lines than without, owing  to the depredations they are continually committing on the property of the distressed inhabitants, who are compelled in their own  defence to keep guard constantly by night, and often kill these freebooters...A loaf of bread that formerly sold for 4 coppers in (N.Y.C.),  is now raised to 14....” (Such “freebooters,” who also roamed the Neutral Ground in The Bronx and Yonkers, were also known as “cow  boys,” believed the original use of the term, long before its Wild West context.) “...Ira Allin and [cryptic space] Fay, Esqs., Agents from  the people of Vermont (Green Mountain) arrived in this city [Phila.].” “We learn that the State of Vermont (so called) is likely soon to  be established by Congress....” New Hampshire advertisements, variously datelined Amherst, Exeter, Hampton Falls, Portsmouth, and  Stratham. Half-column notice, for “Convention for framing a permanent System of Government for the State of New-Hampshire...,”  signed-in-type by Convention Pres. Geo. Atkinson. “It is of the highest importance that there should be a full and free representation of  the people in said Convention....” Old paper tape strips, pre-1975, along once-bound left edges; 1½ x 1½ tissue onlays at upper left  corners both leaves, where fragments lacked, with loss of few letters on each of five lines total, tissue onlay at one blank lower corner,  old folds, thin spot but probably an imperfection from paper manufacture, but in all, about very good. Though the end of the war would  not be formally proclaimed for another year, American victory was virtually assured by the events in this newspaper’s pages. Key news  in a rare title. The Library of Congress’ Chronicling America database locates only two examples of this issue (American Antiquarian  Society and Dartmouth). $600-750

2-12. Lampooning the Declaration’s Supporters as “Self-Evident Fools.”

Important issue of The Gentleman’s Magazine, London, Dec., 1776, 5 x 8¼, (48) pp., folding copperplate engraving. Rich in  revolutionary content. Lengthy refutation of the Declaration of Independence: “The Congress, it seems, have pleaded, in excuse for  having established a merciless tyranny, that it is a self-evident truth that all men are created equal. To defend this absurdity, their  interpreter tell us, that by ‘all men’ is here meant only those ‘original’ men who lived in a state of Nature...But what has this far-fetched  case to do with a state of Society?...Liberty, he says, may be taken away, for there are slaves in America. I will add, that the right too  may be taken away, for there are slaves on the river Thames. The grave gentleman’s objection to this is monstrous; human laws, if they  take away liberty, neither can nor do take away the right to it...Such are the ostensible reasons which our enemies give for becoming  self-evident patricides (and self-evident fools, too, by throwing away the lives, liberties, and happiness which they had)....” Sermon on  New York City’s burning, blamed by the British on Nathan Hale, hung as a spy several months earlier. Lengthy account - by John  Hancock - of July 20, 1776 meeting between Washington and British Col. Paterson, exploring a treaty of accomodation: “...Col.  Paterson behaved with the greatest attention and politeness during the whole business...At the breaking up of the conference, Gen.  Washington invited him to partake of a small collation provided for him, which he politely declined...He was introduced to the General  Officers, after which he took his leave, and was safely conducted to his own boat, which waited for him....” Aug. 1776 correspondence  between George Washington and Lord Drummond, and Parliamentary debate on the American Revolution. “Account of the  Proceedings of the American Colonies,” mentioning battles and skirmishes at New York City areas Turtle Bay (modern site of the U.N.),  Frog’s Neck and King’s Bridge (both in The Bronx), Pelham’s Manor, “the heights of New Rochell(e),” and description of the Battle of  White Plains. “The success of his Majesty’s arms in America, already begins to show its effects on the minds of the distressed  inhabitants. Those who opposed the measures of government, but wished to preserve their dependence on the Mother County, increase  in number daily, while those who were mad for independence lose ground. The rage for independence chiefly prevailed among the  multitude; the men of property were for adhering to the old constitution....” Removed from binding, palest edge toning, very light  handling, else fine, clean, and fairly crisp. An essential for a collection of early Americana; by now, the Declaration had sunken in - on  both sides of the Atlantic - and history would take its uncertain course. $150-200 

2-13. Alexander Hamilton D.S.

Magnificent Document Signed of A(lexander) Hamilton, as first Secretary of Treasury, on  printed “Circular,” Aug. 31, 1792 – with context touching on the substance of Jefferson’s  signed Act of the same year, also in this catalogue (Lot 11-1). 7¼ x 9, opening to 9 x 14½, with  statement of monies printed on verso. “Agreeably to an order of the Senate of the U.S., passed  on 7th of May last, a copy of which is herewith transmitted [not present], I have to request  that you will furnish me, immediately...with the particular statements required...As  Uniformity in the mode of stating the receipts and disbursements will facilitate the business,  a form is hereto annexed as a guide. It is my desire that the Collectors will obtain and  transmit at the same time similar documents from the Inspectors, Gaugers, Measurers and  Weighers...from which salaries, fees or emoluments are derived.” Light toning along two  folds, else a choice signature in milk chocolate on sand-tan, and about very fine. Historian  Forrest McDonald “argues that Hamilton saw his office (of Sec. of the Treasury), like that of  the British First Lord of the Treasury, as the equivalent of a Prime Minister: Hamilton would  oversee his colleagues under the elective reign of George Washington...”--wikipedia. Indeed,  Hamilton had served as Washington’s Chief of Staff during the Revolution, drafting many of  Washington’s orders and letters. Hamilton became the Founding Father of American  economic policy; without his monetary guidance, and structuring of American credit and debt, it is unlikely that the fledgling nation  would have sustained viability. His system of tariffs, collected by those referred to in this document, were the principal means of  financing the frontier security Acts passed earlier in 1792. The “patron saint” of American economic philosophy, Hamilton’s Reports on  Credit - though written in 1790 - were used as late as the 1950s by Asian countries in modernizing their financial systems! A highly  attractive Hamilton example. Purchased from Mary A. Benjamin, 1978; original invoice accompanies. $4250-5000  

2-14. First Attorney General – Signed Seven Times.

A.D.S. of Edmund Randolph, aide-de-camp to Washington 1775-76, Attorney Gen. of Va. 1776, member Continental Congress, George  Washington’s personal lawyer during the Revolution, succeeded Patrick Henry as Gov. of Va. Proposing the anti-slavery Virginia Plan  for a new national government, Randolph was a delegate to Constitutional Convention - but then refused to sign it. First Attorney Gen.  of U.S., and second Sec. of State, succeeding his second cousin - Thomas Jefferson. Signed six times, in full, within text, plus “E.  Randolph” at conclusion, 7¼ x 12, 1 very full p., Spotsylvania County, Va., Oct. 5, 1796. Evidently a draft, with several corrections also  in his hand. Representing estate of Richard Brooke, Randolph “complains of Edward Voss of Culpeper County in custody of a plea, that  he render to him the sum of 103 pounds Virginia currency, which to him the said Edward Voss owes, and from him unjustly detains...  Nevertheless the said Voss, altho’ often required hath not paid the aforesaid sum of £103 Virginia currency...hath refused, and still doth  refuses, to the damage of the said Edmund Randolph...and therefore he brings suit &c....” Interesting oversize watermark of crowned  arms. Shallow 1” fragment lacking at blank left margin, lacking blank upper right tip, 1” internal tear passing through four lines, several  minor edge tears, light toning, else darkly penned, about V.G., and a stellar examplar of this important Founding personage. • With  finely copper-engraved bookplate of “John Randolph of Roanoke,” 2½ x 3¾. Early red-wax mounting evidence on verso, else V.F. A  descendant of Pocahontas, and a founder of American Colonization Society, John freed nearly four hundred slaves, “heartily regretting  that I have ever been the owner of one.” John fought a duel with Henry Clay; ironically, Edmund was chief counsel for Aaron Burr -  who had slain Randolph’s fellow first-Cabinet member Alexander Hamilton - in Burr’s trial for treason. Material of either Randolph is  uncommon. $1600-2200 (2 pcs.) 

2-15. Future 1776 Governor of Virginia – penned as a Young Attorney.

A.D.S. of E(dmund) Pendleton, important patriot, attending the First Continental Congress  with fellow Virginians George Washington and Patrick Henry, and leading both the 1776  and 1788 conventions at which Virginia declared independence, and adopted the  Constitution., respectively. Pendleton was praised by Jefferson as “the ablest man in  debate I ever met.” Orange County (Va.), May 1, 1741(?) cited within text (Pendleton  received his license to practice law the month before), 6¾ x 7¾, some 17 lines in his hand.  (If the date, in Roman numerals, is construed correctly, Pendleton was as young as 19 years  of age when he penned this document; he began legal apprenticeship to the County Court  Clerk at age 14!) Draft of an estate dispute, requesting that defendant “render to him One  feather Bed, two Rugs, two Blankets, two pewter dishes, four pewter plates, two pewter  Basins, six pewter Spoons, one pewter quart Tankard, one pewter pint pott, one frying Pan,  one washing tub, two pails...one Iron pott of the Price of ten pounds Current money, which  from him he unjustly detains....” Two small fragments lacking at left margin at old folds,  rich cream toning, else about fine. A member of Committee of Correspondence, Pendleton  was Gov. of Virginia 1775-76, and Pres. of Committee of Safety til July 5, 1776. Rather  scarce in any form, and likely the earliest Pendleton item as a licensed lawyer to be had. $950-1200  

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