Lot 122
Lewis, Morgan - An Order to Ship Arms to West Point Re The Great Chain (1754-1844) Son of Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. From September 1, 1776 to the end of the war Morgan was a colonel and the Quartermaster General for the Northern Department. He later served as New York State Attorney General, Justice and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New York, and from 1804 to 1807 was governor of New York. Manuscript Document Signed ("M Lewis") as Quartermaster General for the Northern Department, one page, 7¼ x 7¼ in., Albany, April 16, 1778. To Mr. Philip Van Rensselaer: "In Consequence of an order from the Board of War, Directing me to Desire you Immediately to have all the Arms fit for use, put in Boxes and Sent without Delay, to West Point to the Order of General McDougal, you will Please therefore to see that the above order is Immediately Complyd with…." Toning and a couple of contemporary ink stains, one affecting the "M" in the signature.
On April 30, 1778, a heavy chain ("The Great Chain") supported by enormous logs was extended across the Hudson River to prevent British ships from moving north of West Point. The distinctive "S-Curve" the Hudson makes there would force any large ship to slow down in order to navigate it, thus making the ship an easier target for artillery batteries. Cannons were placed in forts and batteries on both sides of the river to destroy any ship that aproached the obstacle of The Great Chain. The chain remained in place until 1782. In this order, Col. Lewis stresses the urgency of getting all arms to West Point immediately; the chain would go in place 14 days after this order.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250.
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| Realized $930 |
