Lot 112
Henry, Patrick (1736-1799) American statesman, orator, and founding father, best remembered for his rallying cry: "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Henry's Virginia contemporaries recognized him as "the man who gave the first impulse to the ball of revolution."
Autograph letter signed ("P. Henry"), as a member of the House of Delegates of Virginia, 1p, 5 x 8¼" (Virginia), Sept. 26, 1782. To Major (Peter) Hairston, who was the sheriff of Patrick Henry County: "I send you Certificates for £3.2, which he owes me for my Wages below, & desired me to give you an order to receive, for which I have his letter. I send also 1 Guinea, 1 pistole, being every farthing I can raise. I count the gold £2.10.0 and the whole £19.12. I am in hopes to collect some more today at court, as I am going there if the pain does not stop me, & expect to see you there." Paper is toned, with some contemporary ink blots, but boldly penned and signed. Notes on verso are probably in the hand of Sheriff Hairston and are unrelated to Patrick's letter.
The Capt. Saunders mentioned in the letter was Henry's fellow delegate from Patrick Henry County to the Virginia House of Delegates. He had apparently borrowed money from Henry, which was taken from Henry's salary as a delegate. In this letter, Saunders' funds are being redirected to repay Sheriff Hairston on account of Henry's taxes. Henry lists the amount of money he had been able to come up with, a combination of a bank note, pounds sterling (a guinea was 27 shillings), and a pistole (a Spanish gold coin).
Estimated Value $2,000 - 4,000.
The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills.
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| Realized $1,784 |
