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[Robert Morris] Ledger with Fair Copies of 54 Revolutionary War Letters to Morris, Plus 2 Letters from Morris to George Washin... (Total: 3 Items)
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$1,792.50
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Description
[Robert Morris] Ledger with Fair Copies of 54 Revolutionary War Letters to Morris, Plus 2 Letters from Morris to George Washington, all Dated between 1775-1782. Together with a 1917 Henkels' Auction Catalog and a Copy of Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1878. Written on laid paper, each page 8.25" x 13.5". Each also bears the watermark "JESSUPS", ca. 1840. The letters contain historically important content from the American Revolutionary War period. A few examples from the ledger follow:To George Washington, June 15, 1781, notifying Washington that he, Morris, was now the "Financier Elect".
To George Washington, July 2, 1781, concerning the financial crisis: "if the Several Legislatures will only do their part with vigour I shall have the Strongest hopes of putting a much better face on our Monied affairs in a Short time".
From Benjamin Franklin, June 3, 1780, regarding "free navigation for neutral ships": "free ships make free goods".
From John Hancock, January 14, 1777, on the government's retreat from Philadelphia: "I wish to return to Philadelphia".
From William Hooper, February 1, 1777, declaring that "an Impartial world will say with you that he [George Washington] is the Greatest man on Earth".
From John Jay, December 18, 1780, concerning Benedict Arnold's treasonous plot: "as unexpected as its discovery was fortunate".
From John Jay, November 19, 1780, requesting Morris to "advance twenty pounds sterl. to Miss Kitty Livingston for the use of my little boy." (John Jay, an outspoken New York abolitionist, bought young slaves in order to free them in adulthood. Apparently, he also hired them out.)
From Horatio Gates, June 3, 1781, responding to being replaced following his defeat at the Battle of Camden: "Surely I cannot be shuffled out of service unless there is or has been some evident design in Individuals to remove me from all command."
Many other important letters are included from Trent Tilghman, Anthony Wayne, and Charles Lee, the author of the majority of the letters. With later copies (ca. 1900) of near fifteen letters. Because of the loss of the spine, all pages in the ledger are detached. Overall, near very good.
Also included is the Stan V. Henkels' catalog, for auction held January 16, 1917, entitled The Confidential Correspondence of Robert Morris. The auction, billed on the cover as "The most important collection of papers ever offered on Revolutionary Events", contains many of the Morris letters included in the ledger. Well worn (loose front wrapper) with penciled notations (mainly prices) in the margins of almost every page. Very good condition. Plus a copy of Collections of the New-York Historical Society for the Year 1878, unopened, containing many of the Morris' ledger letters. A fine copy.
Auction Info
2009 October Grand Format Historical Manuscripts Auction #6031 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2009
16th-17th
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,117
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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