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LOT #42024 |
Current Bid: $30,000
George Washington Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
Writing in March 1776, Just Months before Independence, George Washington Describes the Seizure of Dorchester Heights and Forces the British Evacuation of Boston
George Washington Autograph Letter Signed ("Go:
Washington"). Four pages of a bifolium, 7 1/2 x 9 1/8 inches;
Cambridge, [Massachusetts]; March 12, 1776. Housed in a custom
cloth tri-fold presentation case.A highly desirable 1776 letter written by Washington during the Siege of Boston to John Tayloe of Virginia, prominent planter and political figure, Washington details the bombardment and reports British preparations to abandon the city. In full:
"Dear Sir,
I have just had the pleasure to receive your favour of the 6th Instt and am very glad to find by it that you, Mrs Tayloe & Family, are well. -
I do not know a better hand than Colo. Francis Peyton to collect the Money due to the Sales of Colo. Mercers Estate-when collected, if the Situation of Affairs will admit of any Intercourse with Great Britain, I think the Bills may be made payable under good Indorsers to the Mortgagees, agreeable to the Power of Attorney under which we acted. As it never was my Intention to charge Colo. Mercer, or the Mortgagees any Commission for the trouble I took in the matter (unless something unknown to me at present should cast up) so, on the other hand I never intended to make myself, or Estate liable for Protested Bills-I see no propriety or justice in it-if every precaution wch prudence dictates, is taken in the purchase of Bills, no more can be expected. no more will I do. -
What Lawyer to advise you to engage in the Room of the Attorney Genl I know not-you are much better acquainted with the Abilities of the Gentlemen at your Bar than I am, and know better how to chuse. Mr Mercer it cannot possibly be, because he is a party, & I believe has engaged both Mr Pendleton and Mr Wythe on his Side. the person next in reputation (if those Gentlemen are retaind.) should meet our choice; & him, as above, you can better point out than I can. -
All my Military Operations have been so restraind for want of Powder, that little has been done to effect till within these eight days; when determining to take Post on Dorchester Neck (South of Boston, & with our other Works in a manner encircling of it) I found it necessary to draw of the Enemys attention from that spot as much as possible; in order to this, and at the sametime to harass them, I began on Saturday Night the 2d Instt a Canonade and Bombardment of Boston-continu'd it on Sunday Night-and on Monday Night without the least Intermission, during which time (that is on Monday Night) I began my Works on Dorchester, and had so effectually diverted their attention from my main design that before Morning we were so securely fixed as to bid them defiance-however upon discovering what we were about the next Morning, they made great preparation to come out and Attack the Work, & had Imbarkd 3000 Men in Transports for the purpose; whilst all their light Infantry and Grenadiers were to have Imbark'd in Flatbottomd Boats to their Aid, but a storm which arose, or an appearance which they liked not, in our preparation to receive them, occasioned a disimbarkation and now they are preparing with the utmost precipitation to quit the Town; for what other place time only can tell; but as New York is most likely to be their object, I shall endeavour to meet them there. Our loss in this whole Canonade has been 6 killed & about as many wounded. theirs we know not, except that Six Men in one Barrack, & by one Ball, had all their Legs taken off-Mrs Washington joins me in respec[t]ful Complimts to Mrs Tayloe, yourself & Family, and to yr good Neighbours at Sabine Hall.
I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington."
In the opening year of the war, months before independence had been declared, this letter finds Washington at the instant a long and uncertain siege begins to turn. For months, he had held his army in place before Boston, constrained by a lack of powder and unable to press the advantage. The war, at least in this theater, had been defined by waiting. Now, at last, that condition was broken.
Washington writes in the midst of action. While the British attention was fixed on the exchange of fire, another movement was already underway. Under cover of darkness, American troops advanced to Dorchester Heights, hauling artillery and fortifying ground that overlooked the town and its harbor. By morning, the work was done. Where there had been open ground, there now stood a position strong enough to command the city below.
The reaction was swift as the British forces awoke that morning. Washington notes the hurried preparations for an assault as thousands of troops embarked and light infantry and grenadiers readied to move. Then, suddenly, the British abandoned the attack. In its place came a different motion: preparations, "with the utmost precipitation," to quit the town altogether.
Washington writes at the threshold when the weight of the decision had not yet been fully realized. He does not dwell on the success, but shifts his attention forward; if Boston is to be abandoned, the war will move, and he expects it will move to New York.
The letter records the moment when the war itself changed direction. Washington was no longer merely holding a position, but shaping events, compelling an enemy to yield ground without the need for direct assault.
Condition: Very good considering age and wartime handling. Flattened folds with minor even toning, and just a few minor scattered ink marks. Small separation at the top margin of integral fold, with additional approximate 1" tear affecting text on page four. Minor pinholes at a few fold intersections, just touching text. Washington's handwriting is clean and dark, with a bold signature.
References: "George Washington to John Tayloe, 12 March 1776," Founders Online, National Archives; The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 3, 1 January-31 March 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1988), 456-457; David McCullough, 1776 (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005).
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
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