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LOT #42023 |
Starting Bid: $15,000
George Washington Partial Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
On the Eve of Seizing Dorchester Heights in 1776, George Washington Plans the Movement that Would Force the British Evacuation of Boston: "The contest will soon be decide[d] for or against Us"
George Washington Partial Autograph Letter Signed ("Go:
Washington"). Two pages on a single leaf, 7 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches;
[Cambridge, Massachusetts]; [February 26, 1776]. Fragment
comprising eighteen lines of the opening portion of the letter, and
five lines of the conclusion.Washington writes to the Massachusetts Council regarding his preparations to seize Dorchester Heights, outlining the risks of weakening his lines and requesting militia support to secure the operation. In full:
"As I am making all possible preparation to take possession of the heights of Dorchester (which I expect I shall be able to accomplish by the last of this week) it is expected that this, if any thing can, will bring the Enemy out of Boston to oppose, as at Charles-town, our erecting any Works there. - To weaken our Lines on the North side of Cambridge River too much, with a view to strengthen those of Dorchester, before any move is made that way by the Enemy, migh[t] expose an opening they would glad[ly] avail themselves of - and to delay it till an attack is begun would be too late, as the contest will soon be decide[d] for or against Us, after this happens -
[Under this State of the Matter, and to avoid risking a Defeat when Victory, under Providence, may be reduced to a certainty, I submit it to the Wisdom of your Board if it will not be best to direct the Militia of some of the Towns - most contiguous to Dorchester and Roxbury to repair to the Lines at those two places with there Arms, Ammunition, and Accoutrements Instantly upon a Signal given.]
[If you approve of this you will] please to fix with General Thomas (who waits upon you on purpose) upon the Signals to be given, and Issue your notice thereof accordingly. - I have the favour to be with great respect[t] & esteem
Yr Most Obedt. Hble Servt.
Go. Washington."
The missing text has been supplied in brackets from the letter-book copy and Varick transcript as published by the Founders Online (National Archives).
For months, Washington's army had remained fixed in position, constrained by limited resources and unable to force a decisive engagement. Then, Colonel Henry Knox had arrived in late January 1776 after completing his extraordinary expedition from Fort Ticonderoga, bringing with him the artillery that made Washington's plan feasible. With this new advantage, Washington aimed to fortify Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston Harbor, and thereby compel the British either to attack or withdraw.
Washington's concern is practical. To strengthen his position at Dorchester too soon would risk exposing his lines elsewhere; to wait too long would forfeit the advantage. The success of the operation depended on balance-holding existing defenses while preparing to move at the critical moment. Washington anticipates that the British will respond as they had at Charlestown, moving quickly to contest any fortification of the heights. Victory, Washington suggests, may be "reduced to a certainty," but only if the movement is properly supported. The call for militia to reinforce the lines reflects the narrow margin within which he is operating.
The plan was executed on the night of March 4, 1776, following two days of diversionary bombardment from Cambridge. Under General John Thomas's command, approximately two thousand men worked through the night to erect fortifications and position the newly acquired artillery on Dorchester Heights. When British forces awoke on March 5, they found themselves staring down a line of guns placed on commanding ground they could not easily retake. Within days, the situation became untenable, and on March 17, 1776, the British evacuated Boston.
Condition: Flattened folds with minor toning and minor scattered soiling. Left and right margins trimmed tight, just touching text on both sides (including signature), and affecting a few words. Separations just starting at right margin of folds. Two minor separations at lower center margin of vertical folds with a small hole just below right separation; all affecting text. Small pinhole at upper left intersection. Surface abrasion to concluding sentiment, resulting in the loss of [Gentn]. Minor adhesive remnants at left margin. Very small repair at bottom right edge. Very minor ink ghosting in areas.
References: "George Washington to [Massachusetts authorities], 26 February 1776," Founders Online, National Archives; The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 3 (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1988); 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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