1304
George Washington becomes Commander-in-Chief, First Command Structure of the U.S. Army - and Benedic
Currency:USD
Category:Collectibles
Start Price:1,100.00 USD
Estimated At:2,200.00 - 2,800.00 USD
NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2016 Jan 05 @ 20:00UTC-5 : EST/CDT
Significant issue of Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet or, the General Advertiser, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1775, 12 1/2 x 19, 4 pp. With elaborate masthead woodcut. Rich in historic, fascinating content. Lengthy page-one letter from Englishman Cassandra: "The acts of our national tragedy is begun: A horrid scene is opened...Instead of softening towards each other by degrees, we rush headlong to war...A civil war must now determine whether the authority of this country over North-America must be maintained or subverted...Whether the enthusiast of America bleeds, or British and Irish valor fall, the national strength is impaired...A system of lies dressed up to deceive the nation...has been invented. But where are now those wretched flatterers, those false prophets, who told us the Americans could not fight?...When we found that the Americans were preparing and arming, we gave them a twelvemonth to discipline their troops...No man can dispute our generosity in allowing them so much time, and such fair play...Had that force been dispatched speedily...perhaps this revolt might have been prevented...Instead of arming properly before we declared our intentions, we showed our intentions before we armed; were ready with nothing but our pens and tongues, and news-paper valor...We cloath and arm the Canadians and Savages, make them the arbiters of North-America...."
At top of p. 2, "Extracts from the Journal of the Congress...June 15, 1775" (with notice of the just-published text in book form), appointing George Washington Commander in Chief of the "Army of the United Colonies," and establishing the first command structure of the U.S. Army:
"Resolved, That a General be appointed to command all the Continental Forces, raised or to be raised for the defence of American Liberty.
"That $500 per month be allowed for the pay and expences of the General.
"The Congress then proceeded to the choice of a General by ballot, and George Washington, Esq. was unanimously elected."
June 16, 1775: "...The President informed Col. Washington that the Congress had yesterday unanimously made choice of him to be General and Commander in Chief of the American forces, and requested he would accept of that employment; to which Col. Washington, standing in his place, answered: 'Though I am truly sensible of the high honor due me in this appointment, I feel great distress from a consciousness, that my abilities and military experience may not be equal...If however, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty...and for support of the glorious cause...I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with...As to pay...I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expences....'"
June 17, 1775: The famous letter from "the Delegates of all the Colonies from Nova Scotia to Georgia," to Washington: "We reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism...and for repelling every hostile invasion...," then repeating the text of Washington's appointment, his name in all-capital italics. "This Congress doth now declare, that they will...adhere to him the said George Washington with their lives and fortunes...."
Setting the number of America's first Major-Generals, Brig.-Gens., and one each Adjt.-, Commissary-, Quarter-Master-, and Pay-Master-Gens., with their names and pay. Letter from Congress to the Lord Mayor of London, asserting that "A cruel war has at length been opened against us...We still hope that the mediation of wise and good citizens, will at length prevail over despotism...." Lengthy speech to the Six Confederate (Indian) Nations, explaining in detail the oppressions of the King. "...We are now necessitated to rise and forced to fight...Since the King's wicked counsellors will not open their ears, and consider our just complaints, and the cause of our weeping, and hath given the blow, we are determined to drive away the King's soldiers, and to kill and destroy all those wicked men we find in arms against the peace of the Twelve United Colonies...." Seeking nonintervention of the Indians, "we wish you Indians may continue in peace with one another, and with us the White People...." Separately, "Gen. Schuyler had left a garrison in Ticonderoga, and was in full march into the heart of Canada...." Three letters from Bene(dict) Arnold, including one to John Hancock, mentioning Washington; somewhat premature statement by Philip Schuyler: "...Col. Arnold's march does him a great honor. Some future historian will make it the subject of admiration to his readers." News from Watertown (Mass.): "Wed. evening about 1,000 troops of the United Colonies of North America broke ground on what is called Cobble (or rather Miller's) Hill, about one half mile...from the enemy's encampment on Bunker's Hill...." From N.Y.: "that his Majesty has ordered one quart of porter, and one quarter pound of cheese per man, for the Ministerial troops at Boston...From the preparations in England there is not the least prospect of a reconciliation for some time to come." Correspondence to William Franklin, "Commander in Chief" of N.J., vowing to "join you in the promotion of peace, order and good government...(and) restoring this province to its former state of happiness...We cannot imagine that your Excellency could have had any just reason to fear...from the people of the colony...or well-grounded apprehensions of violence... We know of no sentiments of independency that are by men of any consequence openly avowed, nor do we approve of any...We have already expressed our detestation of such opinions...We have already resolved to support his Majesty's Government...." Late-breaking account, in larger italic, of the Continentals encamped near Bunker's Hill, and 300 poor Bostonians evicted by Gen. Howe, "destitute of every necessary of life...Gen. Washington, with his usual humanity, ordered provisions to them immediately...but the apprehensions of the Small-Pox, which prevails in Boston, made their relief infinitely difficult...." Tortoise-shell foxing, semicircular waterstain at bottom of first leaf, edges browned with some chipping, leaves essentially separated at spine, else good, with enormous character for display. A perfect storm of fateful news, launching America inexorably toward independence. WorldCat locates about four copies. No newspaper reporting Washington's appointment was among the Caren Treasures sale at Bonhams, 2014.
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| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
10,000.00 |
20.5% |
| 10,000.00 |
18,000.00 |
18% |
| 18,000.00 |
Infinite |
16% |
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Cohasco, Inc. has been in business for 69 years, originally in lower Manhattan, and presently in Yonkers, located on the New York City line.
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