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Two James Wilkinson Autograph Letters Signed. ... (Total: 2 )
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Description
Two James Wilkinson Autograph Letters Signed. Two letters dated October 25, 1797 and February 3, 1802. Documents are written in ink and measure 7.25" x 9" and 7.75" x 12.5". Both letters are addressed to Captain Isaac Guion, commander of U.S. troops on the Mississippi River. At the time, Wilkinson served as a Senior Officer in the Army. Signed, "Ja. Wilkinson." Docketed on verso.On October 25, 1797, Wilkinson wrote to Guion, denigrating an unnamed foe. He wrote, in part, "[T]o wound my feelings, he seems disposed to prostrate the essential principles of our profession and render the corps militaire a bar ditti [sic] - He is now fairly or foully in correspondence with all my Commandants of Ports, not omitting Sargent [sic] Glap at the Miamis, and he transmits to them orders without my privity, of the most puerile & ridiculous cast... at the same time that these passions wound my pride...I cannot but laugh at them."
Surrounded by scandal for much of his political and military career, Wilkinson served the United States from the Revolutionary War to his death in 1825. At the time that he wrote these letters, Wilkinson had grown increasingly unpopular within the U.S. Army. Throughout much of the 1790s, Wilkinson spent much of his time insulting and criticizing the actions of his arch-rival, Anthony Wayne, whom Wilkinson believed had stolen from him the position of commanding general of the Legion of the United States. In response, Wayne opened an investigation into Wilkinson's alleged reputation as a spy for the Spanish government in Louisiana. Wilkinson only managed to avoid a court martial because Wayne died in December 1796, before the trial began. By 1797, it is clear that Wilkinson's reputation had not improved.
Five years later, Wilkinson again wrote to Guion, including an extract from a letter Wilkinson wrote to the Secretary of War regarding Guion's resignation from the army. The extract reads, in part, "It may be necessary for me briefly to observe at this time that I agreed on the 4th December to accept Maj. Guion's resignation subject to the presidential decision, but it was stipulated that he should be allowed a boat to carry him with his family to the Ohio and that his pay & emoluments should not cease untill [sic] he was landed...I will now express the hope that if you should not have acted on this occasion and a reduction should take place, that he may enjoy every benefit attached to it, for he has served with zeal & fidelity from the dawn of our revolution & but for the infirmity to which he has of late been subject, he is inferior to no officer of the Army in Intelligence & professional skill."
Following the extract, Wilkinson wrote to Guion, "I send you this extract with my blessing & best wishes which is all I have to offer but should times change & my power resuscitate, have you show faith in my friendship. In the meantime... I intreat [sic], oh I implore you to resume your former self..."
Guion served as both a trusted officer of Wilkinson and a close confidant. Despite Wilkinson's problematic reputation, Guion remained a friend. At the time of this letter, Guion served as Major of the 3rd U.S. Regiment stationed in Natchez, Mississippi. It is in honor of his service that Wilkinson makes the recommendations in his second letter.
Condition: Both letters are creased along folds. Paper loss to all four margins and center of both letters, affecting text and legibility of the letters. Toned and stained throughout with areas of severe darkening and chipping.
Provenance: From the Private Collection of a Mississippi Gentleman.
Auction Info
2023 September 21 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6272 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2023
21st
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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