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Francis Lightfoot Lee Document Signed. ...
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Description
Francis Lightfoot Lee Document Signed. Two pages, 7.75" x 11.5", no place; May 1, 1778. Deposition given by Lee regarding his involvement in a business dispute between John Belfield and John Alexander. Signed, "Francis Lightfoot Lee" at the conclusion.The testimony reads, in part: "Francis Lightfoot Lee Esq. aged above fifty years being sworn deposeth and vouth [sic] that Mr. Griffin Fauntleroy came to his house and informed him that Mr. John Belfield and Col. John Alexander had agreed to refer to him a matter in dispute between them respecting the back rents of a certain tract of land called Dyer Land which the said Alexander had recovered of the said Belfield in the General Court and that they wished him to attend the next day. This Deponent saith that he did go over early in that day where the said Alexander was and the said Mr. Robert Mitchel that sometime after this Deponent's arrival it was proposed by the said Belfield to enter upon the Business but the said Alexander objected that he would not refer it to a single person whereupon the said Belfield expressed his surprise that he should fly off from what he said had been mutually agreed on but the said Alexander persisted in what he demanded and proposed to take in the said Mitchell with this Deponent to which the said Belfield agreed but when it was proposed to take in the said Mitchell he absolutely refused to be concerned in settling the matter and for a time things appeared to be at a stand the said Belfield complaining of the said Alexander going from his agreement. This Deponent then wishing to have the business compromised without a suit & supposing it would not be long before it might be done proposed there should be joined with him John Augustine Washington and Richard Henry Lee or one of them which the said Belfield readily agreed to as he did to every proposal of reference he made for settlement thereof sometimes the said Alexander would agree to one or more of the Gentlemen nominated by this Deponent and then he would fly off but always agreed that the said Mitchell should be one in this manner. The affair continued until Dinner and nothing determined on that, whilst at Dinner the said Belfield told the said Alexander that he was quite tired out by the said Alexander's behavior and desired him to say what he would take. Upon which the said Alexander mentioned a very large sum of tobacco but the amount he does not know and which this Deponent thought high and the said Belfield agreed to give it to him."
A document signed by the founding father at the height of the Revolutionary War. The Virginian statesman played multiple key roles before, during, and after the American Revolution. Lee was an avid protestor against British colonial policies such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and actively promoted independence within the House of Burgesses. He was the first to call for the Virginia Conventions in 1774, where Virginia established its own constitution and rejected the British colonial government. In addition to his efforts within his home state, Lee participated in the Continental Congress as well as signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Although he lived until 1797, autograph material by Lee is scarce and rarely comes on the market.
Lee is not the only party in this legal case who played a role in the American Revolution. At the time of this suit, John Belfield served as captain of the 6th Virginia Cavalry Regiment. Three years later, he was promoted to Major of the 3rd Continental Dragoons where he joined George Washington in key mounted charges at the battles of Cowpens, Guilford Court House, and Eutaw Springs.
Lee recommended his brother, Richard Henry Lee, as a solution to the conflict between Belfield and Alexander. Much like Francis, Richard Henry played an important role in the Revolutionary War. Although he served as president of the Continental Congress, he is perhaps best remembered for the Lee Resolution. Also referred to as the Resolution for Independence, this clause formally separated the thirteen colonies from Britain and created the United States of America.
Condition: Creased along folds with paper loss at all four margins. Toning and staining throughout. Pencil notations on recto.
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
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