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260

Declaration of Independence: Samuel Huntington

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Declaration of Independence: Samuel Huntington

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Auction Date:2010 Jul 14 @ 22:00 (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
Autographed letter, one page both sides, 8.25 x 13.5, November 7, 1781. Unsigned draft letter, docketed on the reverse by Huntington, “Copy of letter to the Minister of France Novr 7th 1781,” sending congratulations to the foreign minister. In full, with corrections and additions; words crossed out are in brackets: “I cannot deny myself the pleasure of Congratulating you on the Important Glorious Success of our Combined Forces in the compleat Capture of Ld Cornwallis and all his Army.

[I am truly charmed with] The conduct of Count de Grasse so far as [it] hath come to my knowledge charms me; his drupping the British fleet sufficient to [Convince] teach them [they might not & could] to keep at due distance & not [until the Cheasapeake or] again attempt to Interrupt the siege, & at the same time not Suffering himself to be too far diverted from his first main object, Evinces that he possesd Tallents accomplishments equal to his Station worthy of so Important Command in the Navy. May our Successes this Campaign be in proportion to the Generous imparalled aids [which these United States have] received from his most Christian and proved Eventually productive of the happiest Consequences to [France and America] the perpetual advantage of both nations.” Partial separation along one horizontal fold, with several small professional repairs to other separations, several small areas of ink erosion to text, show-through from writing on opposing sides, and mild toning, otherwise very good condition.

His praise here of De Grasse followed the admiral’s defeat of a squadron under the command of British Admiral Thomas Graves in the Battle of the Chesapeake. Graves’ men were forced to sail back to New York for repair, leaving General Cornwallis in Virginia without supplies or reinforcements. The British commander had moved his 7,000 of his men to the Chesapeake to link up with supplies and reinforcements on the way from the Royal Navy—something thwarted by De Grasse. It was in light of that victory that the Declaration signer sent this note, “Congratulating you on the Important Glorious Success of our Combined Forces in the compleat Capture of Ld Cornwallis and all his Army.”

Huntington also holds the historical distinction of being a top-ranking authority when the United States formally became a nation. In September 1779, Huntington was elected sixth president of the Continental Congress—a term that included ratification of the Articles of Confederation, on March 1, 1781. The first section of the Articles of Confederation designated the new nation as the ‘United States’ for the first time.
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