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202

George Washington

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:20,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
George Washington

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Auction Date:2011 Feb 09 @ 19:00 (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
Revolutionary War-dated LS signed “Go: Washington,” one page, 8 x 13, March 1, 1777. Letter, written in the hand of George Johnston, to Colonel George Baylor. In full: “Your several favours of the 31st January and 7th February are now before me. I am happy in being informed that the Gov. of Virga. has consented that their Muskett factory shall equip your Regiment with Carbines & Pistols. I have no doubt of your keeping the Workmen closely to their duty; nor of your using your best Endeavors to purchase proper horses. As I am not acquainted with all the Gentlemen mentioned in yr. Letter, shall refer my Approbation of them till they join the Army. I observe that you have appointed Messrs. Jno. Stith and Willm. Armistead. If they are the Gentlen. who were in the 4th. & 6th. Virga. Battalions, I must disapprove the Choice. They left the Army without permission, and must return to their Companies immediately, or expect to be treated roughly. If you find upon Inquiry, the fact to be as I suppose it is, you will inform these Gentlm. of my Resolution, and fill up their Vacancies. Wishing you success equal to your warmest desire, I am….” Reverse bears an address panel, presumably in Johnston’s hand, to “George Baylor, Esq., Colo: of a Regiment of Cavalry near Fredericksburg,” and also bears a reception docket and remnants of its red wax seal. Professionally inlaid into a slightly larger sheet, the letter displays intersecting folds, with several vertical folds through signature, scattered toning and soiling, primarily to left side, scattered creases and wrinkles, a few small pinhole separations along folds, and small repair to seal-related paper loss along bottom edge, affecting nothing, otherwise very good condition.

In 1777, Washington and the Continental Army marched from the victories at Trenton and Princeton to encamp near Morristown from January to May. It was during this period that this correspondence was delivered to Colonel Baylor, Washington’s first aide-de-camp and the man brought the news of the Battle of Trenton to the Continental Congress. It was a mixed message, informing the colonel that Virginia’s musket factor had authorized equipping his men “with Carbines & Pistols” needed for battle. Some of those men, however, had a secret—the fact that they were deserters. Upon this revelation, Baylor wrote General Washington, noting that while one of the men may have been falsely accused, Armistead had apparently misrepresented himself and deserted from Washington’s army. A wonderful Revolutionary War-dated letter concerning arming the men. This item originated from the collection of Judge E. A. Armstrong, of Princeton, New Jersey.
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