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171

Benedict Arnold

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:5,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Benedict Arnold

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Auction Date:2011 Sep 14 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “B. Arnold,” one page both sides, 7.25 x 8.75, April 14, 1798. From London, Arnold writes the Duke of Portland. In part: “When I had the honor of a Conversation with Your Grace upon the subject of my Petition to the King for Waste lands in upper Canada, Your Grace was pleased to intimate to me that my going there with my Family to intitle [sic] me to the lands as an half pay Officer, would be dispensed with, our situation being a very singular one. I have therefore my Lord Duke, by desire of Mr. King, and agreeable to his instructions, made out a Memorial to Mr. Bupel, President of His Majesty’s Council in Upper Canada, praying for the lands that I am intitled [sic] to as an half pay officer for myself and my family without subjecting myself or them to go to, or reside in Canada, which Mr. King has approved of, and promised me to lay it before Your Grace for your instructions thereon, which I have no doubt will be agreeable to Your Grace intimation to me, and the prayer of my Memorial.” Intersecting horizontal and vertical folds, wrinkles, scattered light toning, and an adjacent page reinforced, otherwise fine condition.

King George III granted Arnold and his family about 15,000 acres of land in Canada in recognition of his service to the Crown, including his treason against America and later acting as a privateer during the French Revolution. Arnold was imprisoned for a time by French authorities amid accusations of spying for the British—to whom he had defected during the American Revolution—but eventually escaped to a blockading British fleet after bribing his guards, then helped organize militia forces on British-held islands. Despite his hope that such actions would earn him a new command, the king instead granted him the aforementioned parcel...on the condition that he and his family move there. The idea of leaving England was not met favorably by Arnold, who had resided in Canada in the late 1780s and found himself to be extremely unpopular in all of North America, forcing him to contact the Duke of Portland, Secretary of State, “praying for the lands that I am intitled [sic] to as an half pay officer for myself and my family without subjecting myself or them to go to, or reside in Canada.” Arnold is scarce in letters, particularly with such excellent association.
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