Lot 74
Washington, George. Manuscript letter signed "G:o Washington" as Commander-in-Chief, one page, 7¼ x 12¼ in., Headquarters (Morristown), Feb. 2, 1780. Written in the hand of James McHenry to Major General Arthur St. Clair: " I have received your 2nd letter of this date. As I wrote you this forenoon I leave the Enterprise in view entirely with You and the execution to be attempted or not as you may judge proper from a full consideration of all circumstances, the intelligence you have received and the character of the persons who gave it. If it should appear to you that there is a strong probability of its succeeding the experiment can be made. If not it may be best not to undertake it. The dragoon has Two or three bundles of prepared combustibles in charge and some port fires…." Written on laid, watermarked paper. Very good condition; some fold repairs on verso; paper replacement at top right corner affecting"80" of 1780 date; a few edge breaks; show-through from earlier pasting; and ragged lower-right edge, affecting the tail of the "n" in "Washington". The signature is otherwise large and bold.
The "enterprise" to which Washington refers was against the loyalist corps of New Jersey Volunteers led by Jacob Van Buskird (1760-1834). Gen. St. Clair was unable to follow through because night fell and the guides did not arrive on time. Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000
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| Realized $15,600 |
