Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 107

The Manuscript & Collectibles Auction

French and Indian War (1756-1763)

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 163		Monckton, Robert --1768 ALS. (1726-82) British general, second in command to General Wolfe at the battle of Quebec (1759). He was also involved in the deportation of the Acadians (1755). He was named Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia in 1755 and in 1762 as Governor of the Province of New York. Autograph letter signed "Rob.t Monckton," as a major general, 3 pages, 8¾ x 7¼", London, May 2, 1768. To "My Lord," thanking him for his "very obliging" letters on behalf of his brother, Capt. Monckton. Monckton asks that recommendations he is enclosing [not present] be sent to L[or]d Granby, who has promised his brother "to do what is necessary here." Monckton is "quite ashamed to give your Lordship so much trouble" but he can't pass up "so fair an opportunity…of serving my Brother…." Light toning and minor creasing, else fine. Monckton's younger brother, Henry, would be killed in 1778 during the American Revolution while leading the grenadiers at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey during the evacuation of Philadelphia. Estimate Value $300 - UP Goodspeed's Book Shop, Inc. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $204
Lot 164		Abercrombie, General James -- 1753 ALS. (1706-81) British general in the French and Indian Wars who commanded British forces in the disastrous campaign against Fort Carillon (Fort Ticonderoga). Abercrombie's force of 15,000 British and colonial troops was defeated by General Montcalm's army of 3,600 in July 1758. Abercrombie was recalled by British prime minister William Pitt and replaced as commander-in-chief by Jeffrey Amherst. Autograph letter signed "James Abercrombie," one page, 6¾ x 9¼", Philadelphia, Nov. 3, 1753. To Messrs. Jarvis & Clark, instructing them to forward "the inclosed" [not present] to Messrs. John Dunlop & Company and to charge the postage to their account. Fine condition. Estimate Value $300 - UP Walter R. Benjamin Autographs, Inc. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $192
Lot 165		Amherst, Jeffrey -- Letter Signed Regarding Transport of Deserters Delivered by Members of Gorham's Rangers. (1717-1797) British general,1st Baron Amherst. Commander-in-chief of the British army in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War. After he captured Montreal on Sept. 8, 1760, ending French rule in North America, he was named Governor General of British North America. His conduct of operations during Pontiac's Rebellion was criticized and he returned to England in November 1763. Letter signed "Jeff: Amherst" as Governor General of British North America, one page, 12½ x 7¾", New York, July 13, 1763. Five months after the Treaty of Paris was signed (Feb. 10, 1763), ending the French and Indian War, Amherst writes to Thomas Hancock (1703-64), uncle of Signer of the Declaration of Independence John Hancock and a wealthy merchant who made a fortune providing provisions to the British during King George's War and the French and Indian War, regarding transport of deserters from New York to Halifax. In part: "This will be Delivered to you by Capt: Watson of Gorham's Corps, who has the Care of a Serjeant & three men of the Royal…now returning to Halifax with two Deserters: Capt: Watson is to put the whole under the Care of Lieut: Dixon of Gorham's, who is now at Boston…." Amherst says there are 42 days of provisions and asks Hancock to procure passage for the men and to put it on his account with the Crown, adding "Lieut. Dixon is to take a Serjeant and one man of Gorham's with him." Both Watson and Dixon can be found in the muster rolls of Gorham's Rangers. Two areas of paper replacement in left margin affects two letters of text, else fine. Estimate Value $800 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $720
Lot 166		Bradstreet, Colonel John -- 1759 ALS to Abraham Mortier Arranging Bedding For His Majesty's Troops. (1714-74) British officer who was prominent in major campaigns of the French and Indian War, including an unsuccessful attack on Fort Carillon (later Fort Ticonderoga), and who led a successful attack on Fort Frontenac. Under General Jeffrey Amherst, he served as Deputy Quartermaster in Albany through the end of the French and Indian War. He is most noted for organizing and leading the famed "Battoe Men" who supported British strategy. Bradstreet also supported British efforts during Pontiac's Rebellion. Autograph letter signed "Jno Bradstreet," one page, 6¼ x 7¾", Albany, Nov. 24, 1759. To Abraham Mortier, deputy paymaster general of the British Army in New York, arranging payment of £1,000 sterling to Messr. DeLaney Roberson & Co. for bedding supplied by them for His Majesty's troops. Fine condition. Toning, right margin uneven. Boldly penned and signed. Abraham Mortier was a prominent figure in New York City. His colonial mansion, built in 1760 and called "Richmond Hill" was occupied after his death in 1775 by Lord Jeffrey Amherst, George Washington, John Adams, Aaron Burr, and John Jacob Astor. Estimate Value $500 - UP Walter R. Benjamin Autographs, Inc. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $630
Lot 167		De Bougainville, Louis Antoine -- Document Signed During the American Revolution. (1729-1811) Montcalm's aide-de-camp from 1756-59 during the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War). He helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris, by which France ceded most of New France east of the Mississippi to the British, then fought against the British during the American Revolution. Promoted rear admiral and commanding the Auguste in the Comte de Grasses squadron, he distinguished himself in September 1781 in the battle of Chesapeake Bay, which led to the surrender of Yorktown. As an explorer, he became the first Frenchman to circumnavigate the globe. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, the Académie de Marine, and the Académie des Sciences. He was made a count by Napoleon I in 1808. Document signed "DeBougainville," one page, 8 x 7", Brest, July 16, 1777. Approving supplies for his ship "Le Bien-aimé," a 74 gun warship, which he commanded in 1777, twelve dozen "Ballets de Boulari, pour goürettes." Signed by four other people. Fine condition. Estimate Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $312
Lot 168		De Lévis, François-Gaston, Duc de Lévis -- Certificate of Nobility Signed by Montcalm's 2nd in Command in New France. (1719-1787) French noble and a Marshal of France. He was second in command to Montcalm in the defense of New France. After the surrender in 1760, he served in Europe. He was appointed Governor of Artois and in 1783 he was made a Marshal of France. Document signed "Le M:r de Lévis," one page, 12½ x 8", Artois, June 27, 1776. A certificate of nobility for Charles Antoine Marie D'albuin, volunteer in the provincial regiment of Arras. He was born noble, in accordance with his baptismal document (not present) of Oct. 24, 1760 which was authenticated by the appropriate official of the town. With signatures of five other nobles, who signed as witnesses, and stamps of the Heraldic College of France, Archives of the Nobility, and of the Cabinet d'Hozier. Document tied with a blue ribbon at lower left. Light soiling, else fine. Ironically, de Lévis' widow and two of his three daughters were sent to the guillotine in 1794 because they were members of the nobility. De Lévis escaped only because he had died two years before the start of the French Revolution. Estimate Value $1,000 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 169		Montcalm, Louis Joseph, Marquis de -- 1756 Memo Expediting Commissions for Three Aides-de-Camp He Will Take to Canada. (1712-1759) French general who served as commander-in-chief of French forces in Canada (1756-59) during the French and Indian War and who died from wounds suffered during the Battle of Abraham. Document signed "Montcalm" as Commander of French forces in New France, one page, 8½ x 5¾", Paris, February 20, 1756. As he prepares to leave for New France, Montcalm sends a memorandum to the Comte d'Argenson, secretary of state for war, asking him to expedite the commissions of three officers Montcalm plans to take with him as aides-de-camp (Louis Antoine) de Bougainville, presently a lieutenant in the regiment of Apchon, to the rank of Captain of Dragoons; M. de la RocheBeaucourt, presently a Lieutenant of Cavalry in the regiment of Montcalm, to Captain in the same regiment; M. Marcel, presently a sergeant in the Regiment of Flanders, Company of Fonscolombe, to the rank of Lieutenant in the Regiment of the Queen's Infantry. All three aides-de-camp were devoted to Montcalm. He greatly depended on de Bougainville, who went on to a distinguished career as an admiral and explorer. La RocheBeaucourt was given the responsibility of training 200 volunteer cavalrymen, and Marcel served as secretary to Montcalm. Much of Montcalm's diary is written in Marcel's hand, as dictated by Montcalm. Document has old erasure marks on two lines, else fine. Estimate Value $3,000 - UP Kenneth W. Rendell, Inc. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $7,500
Lot 170		Montcalm, Marquis de -- Death Warrant For a Deserter Signed by Montcalm. (1712-1759) French general who served as commander-in-chief of French forces in Canada (1756-59) during the French and Indian War and who died at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Partly-printed document signed "Montcalm" as Colonel of the Regiment of Auxerrois, Army of Italy, and Chevalier of the Military Order of St. Louis, one page, 14 x 9", Camp Demont, November 3, 1744. The document is the judgment in the name of the King given by The Council of War, assembled by order of the Prince of Conti, Commander of the Army of Italy, regarding the desertion while in a foreign country of 29-year-old Lieut. François Sombret from Captain Gosson's company in the Regiment of Auxerrois. The lieutenant was found guilty and condemned to be hanged until dead. Montcalm signed the judgment first, followed by six others: Fontenay, Vapin, Bourget, Potier, Rochebrune, and Bontemps. Major Damours signed at the bottom that the judgment was carried out the same day, November 3, 1744. Light toning, darker at vertical fold, else fine. Estimate Value $2,000 - UP Goodspeed's Book Shop, Inc. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $5,040
Lot 171		St. Loe, George -- "Quebec is taken tho' with the loss of the Valiant Genl. Wolfe". British soldier who served in the campaign against the Mi'kmaq Indians and the Acadians during the prolonged guerrilla war from the War of Austrian Succession through the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War). St. Loe was promoted to Major in 1761. At the fall of Quebec, Captain St. Loe was an officer in the 40th Regiment. Letter signed "Geo. St. Loe," 2 pages, 14¾ x 9½", Louisbourg, October 2, 1759. Fifteen days after the capitulation of Quebec City, St. Loe writes to Thomas Hancock, uncle of Signer of the Declaration of Independence John Hancock and a wealthy Boston merchant who made a fortune supplying provisions to the British during the French and Indian War; his ships were also instrumental in the removal of the Acadians from Nova Scotia to the British colonies. St. Loe asks for provisions for the garrison and recounts details of the battle and General Wolfe's death. "I have Inclosed you a set of Bills for one hundred pounds sterling, drawn on the Agent of the 40th Regiment as General Barington has now got Our Regiment. I must Congratulate you on the success of Our Arms, Quebec is taken tho' with the loss of the Valiant Genl. Wolfe, it happened on the 17th [the day the British took possession of the city] of last month, it seems Genl. Wolfe crossed the River w[i]th his little Army of about four thousand Strong--within two hours after Montcalm attacked him w[i]th ab[ou]t Ten or Twelve thousand Men, Our Brave General rec[eive]d his three first fires, not a man of Ours offered to fire 'til they were within reach of their Bayonetts, then gave their fire and rushed at them. We killed Eleven hund[re]d. Privats & two hundred Offiers on the spot, which obliged the rest to run, but we followed them so close, that we took two hund[re]d of them Pris:nr at their sally port. We have lost ab[ou]t Forty Officers, two hund[re]d & Fifty men, and ab[ou]t four hund[re]d wounded--they say Genl. Wolfe rec[eive]d three shots thro' his body, & one thro' his wrist, but lived long enough to ask how affairs went on, being answered we have gained a Compleat Victory, replied then I die in Peace, so Expired in a few minutes after. Genl. Monckton is shot thro' the Body but 'tis believed not mortal….You must excuse this account as I am in a great hurry…." The letter is toned overall, with a couple of small edge splits and old tape stains. Integral leaf has worn folds, soiling on verso, and some ink erosion to docket. In spite of wear to the laid, watermarked paper, the ink is still dark and easily read. Estimate Value $1,500 - UP Goodspeed's Book Shop, Inc. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,400
Lot 172		Townshend, George--Field Marshal, 1st Marquess Townshend--Five Letters. (1724-1807) British general who assumed command on the Plains of Abraham after General Wolfe's death. As a result of General Wolfe's death and General Monckton's being wounded, he received the capitulation of the French at Quebec. Five letters (14 pages) signed between 1748 and 1796, plus two letters from his father, the 3rd Viscount Townshend. Concerning a variety of social, familial, political, and military affairs, the letters offer a revealing look into the lives of the 18th century aristocracy. There are referenes to dog breeding, horses, debts, illnesses, recruiting of soldiers, parliamentary service, and rent collections. There are also references to Charles Townshend, brother of George, who as Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed the Townshend Acts, the unpopular revenue laws that helped precipitate the American Revolution. Toning and soiling; a few biographical notes in pencil in a later hand. Overall very good. Estimate Value $800 - UP Goodspeed's Book Shop, Inc. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $810
Lot 173		Wolfe, General James -- Document Signed. (1727-59) British general commanding at the Battle of Quebec (Battle of the Plains of Abraham) September 13, 1759, the battle that led to British supremacy in Canada and to British control over North America. On September 12, British troops scaled the cliffs about a mile from the city of Quebec at Anse au Foulon and, on the morning of the 13th, surprised the French on the Plains of Abraham. The battle lasted less than an hour, duing which Wolfe sustained three wounds; he died shortly after being told that the French had been routed. The French commander, Montcalm, died a few hours later. Document signed "J: Wolfe," one page, 6 x 7¼", no place, 1747. Wolfe signs on the lower portion of the document which his father (Lt. Gen.) Edward Wolfe, signed ("E: Wolfe") acknowledging receipt of f200 as a legacy to his wife (James Wolfe's mother) Henrietta. Paper loss at lower left affects a couple of words in James Wolfe's hand, but "of the Receipt above" and the date "1747" are visible. Toning and soiling. About very good. Estimate Value $2,500 - UP Goodspeed's Book Shop, Inc. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $6,600
Lot 174		[Wolfe, James] Original Sketch of General Wolfe Attributed to Capt. Hervey Smith, His Aide-de-Camp at Quebec. Profile head and bust of General James Wolfe, in pencil, 8¼ x 6" (Quebec, 1759). Matted and framed to an overall size of 16 x 12¾". The provenance is written on the back of the portrait (covered by the frame, which can be easily removed): "This sketch belonged to Lt. Coln. Gwillim, A.D. Camp to Genl. Wolfe when he was killed -- It is supposed to have been sketched by Hervey Smith!" It continues in pencil in another hand, "This profile of General Wolfe from which his bust was principally taken was hastily sketched by Hervey Smith, on(e) of his Aid de camps, a very short time before that distinguished oficer was killed on the Plains of Abram [sic] it then came into the possession of Colonel Gwillian another of the General's Aid de Camps, who died afterwards at Gibralter; and from him to Mrs. Sinclair, the Colonel's only daughter and heiress then to Major General Darling (who was on General Sinclair's Staff;) and is now presented by him to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick 13 Jny 1832." In still another hand is the statement that the Duke of Northumberland presented it to the Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall. Captain Hervey Smith (1835-1811) was an officer and a topographical painter who had participated in the campaign against Louisbourg in 1758. He was appointed one of General Wolfe's aides-de-camp for the campaign against Quebec on May 4, 1759. Smith was severely wounded during the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and returned to England to recover. This sketch is referred to in a 1925 article entitled "A Study of the Portraiture of James Wolfe," by J. Clarence Webster, a Canadian physician and historian. He says, in part: "Best known of all the sketches [of Wolfe] are those made by an aide-de-camp of Wolfe at Quebec, Capt. Hervey Smith….His profile head and bust of Wolfe [is] now in the Museum of the Royal United Service Institution….It is a pencil drawing, somewhat rubbed and damaged, especially near the nose and mouth." In 1974, the late Dr. George A. Snook, a physician and military historian, wrote to The Parker Gallery in London, detailing his research on the sketch, which he had purchased from the Gallery in 1970. He referenced Webster's article and other research and inquired if his sketch might be the one referred to in Dr. Webster's article. The Parker Gallery replied to Dr. Snook, assuring him that the sketch was, in fact, the sketch from the Royal United Service Institution, purchased by the Parker Gallery when the Museum closed (around 1960). A copy of Dr. Webster's article, which was published in Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, Vol. XIX, pp 47-67, is included with the sketch. Also included is a copy of Dr. Snook's letter to the Parker Gallery and the Gallery's response. Estimate Value $10,000 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $17,400