SOLD
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This item SOLD at 2017 Mar 18 @ 10:32UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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Autographs
Historic 1813 Gouverneur Morris Autograph Letter Signed Regarding Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia of 1812
GOUVERNEUR MORRIS (1752-1816). American Statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Signatory to the Articles of Confederation, Author of large sections of the Constitution of the United States and one of its Signers. He is widely credited as the author of the preamble, and has been called the “Penman of the Constitution.”
August 11, 1813-Dated War of 1812 Period, Autograph Letter Signed, “Gouv Morris”, measuring 8” x 9.75”, 2 pages, Morrisania, Choice Very Fine. This excellent content Letter was written to Robert G. Harper (1765-1825) in Baltimore. An American patriot who served in the Continental Army at the tender age of 15, Harper went on to become a Member of Congress representing South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives. After relocating to Baltimore, he was elected to the U.S. Senate and served one year (1816) before resigning. According to the Biographical Directory of Congress, at the time of this letter – the War of 1812 – Harper was serving a Major General in the Army. Here, Gouverneur Morris pens, in full:
“Dear Sir ---
Accept my thanks for your kind Letter and the Pamphlet enclosed. I had already twice perused and with increased pleasure your Speech at the Festival. Your Views both Military and political appear to me perfectly correct. As to the latter the most incredulous must soon believe. Unfortunately Kutusow [Russian Prince Mikhail Kutuzov] is no more and Bonaparte remains again unrivalled. The old Marshal’s Campaign appears to me not only a Chef d’ouevre but unique – From the time when the Russian Force was collected, from the extensive Posts which the uncertainty of Bonaparte’s attack rendered necessary the French Emperor was no long master of a single movement.
He could not take the Road to Petersburgh because he would have left his Flank and Rear opposed to the grant Army of Russia – In retreating from Moscow he would I believe have taken the Road to Cracow, in order to pass his winter in Prague, if he could. This at least is the Course I had marked out for him long before we heard of his Movements and indeed immediately on receiving the news of the burning of Moscow fired on the 20th of October for his Departure, I conceive that it was for this Purpose he fought the Battle in which he was defeated.
In Possession of Prague and leaving Garrisons where he did leave them he would have secured the co-operation of all his Vassals including Austria for the present Campaign. After we had received information of the Ruin of his Army I looked forward to every thing good if Kutusow should live, but feared much that the slender thread of his existence would break or be broken. The last Affairs prove that he has not left his Mantle to his Successor. ---- Adieu believe me always truly yours --- (Signed) Gouv Morris.”
When Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812, Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly (then Minister of War) wisely chose to follow the scorched earth principle and retreat rather than to risk a major battle.
His strategy aroused grudges from most of the generals and soldiers, and when Mikhail Kutuzov was appointed Commander-in-Chief and arrived to the army on August 17, he was greeted with delight. Within two weeks Kutuzov decided to give major battle on the approaches to Moscow.
The two huge armies clashed near Borodino on August 26, 1812 in what has been described as the greatest battle in human history up to that date, involving nearly a quarter of a million soldiers. The result was inconclusive, with a quarter of the French and half of the Russian army killed or wounded. After the famous conference at the village of Fili, Kutuzov fell back on the strategy of his predecessor: withdraw in order to save the Russian army as long as possible. This came at the price of losing Moscow, whose population was evacuated.
Having retreated to the Kaluga road and replenished his ammunitions, Kutuzov forced Napoleon into retreat in the Battle of Maloyaroslavets. The old general's cautious pursuit evoked much criticism, but at any rate he allowed only a remnant of Napoleon’s Grand Army to regain Prussian soil. Kutuzov now held the rank of Field Marshal, and had been awarded the title of His Serene Highness Prince Smolensky, awarded to him for his stunning victory over a part of the French army at Smolensk in November, 1812.
As Morris alludes in this letter, Kutuzov fell ill and died earlier that Spring on April 23, 1813. Though the hopes of the Sixth Coalition Allies seemed to be dashed with Kutuzov’s death, Napoleon’s enemies were massing against him. By the following April (1813), their victory was complete, and Napoleon was exiled (temporarily, it would turn out) to the isle of Elba with the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
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| CST |
8.25% |
California |
| SST |
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San Diego County |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
25% |
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BIDDER EXPRESSLY WAIVES AND RELEASES, AND FOREVER DISCHARGES EAHA FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, RIGHTS, DEMANDS AND CAUSE(S) OF ACTIONS AND SUIT(S), OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIM(S) BASED UPON AUCTIONEER’S NEGLIGENCE, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY OR WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, WHICH BIDDER MAY CLAIM TO HAVE WITH RESPECT TO AND/OR ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CHALLENGE TO ANY MERCHANDISE PURCHASED AT THE AUCTION, THE AUCTION PROCEDURES, OR THE PURCHASE OF ANY LOT(S); IT BEING THE INTENTION THAT THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AS A BAR TO EACH AND EVERY CLAIM, DEMAND, CAUSE OF ACTION AND/OR SUIT OR CONTROVERSY THAT MAY ARISE HEREUNDER OR BE RELATED TO THE AUCTION
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