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John Burgoyne

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
John Burgoyne

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Auction Date:2018 Jul 11 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
British army officer, politician, and dramatist (1722–1792) best known for his role in the American Revolution, where he surrendered his army of 5,000 men to American troops on October 17, 1777. ALS signed “J: Burgoyne,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.25 x 9.25, October 17, 1782. Letter to Charles Townshend, the Joint Vice-Treasurer of Ireland, written from Kilmainham, Ireland. In part: "The resolutions of several Volunteer Corps upon the subject of the Fencibles (or as now called the Provincials) are strong, but in proposition to the opposition, Government I conceive must incline to give the measure fair support, at least to leave nothing to be complained of…especially as in spite of all opposition you may depend upon it the major part of the corps will succeed, Talbot's for instance is nearly compleat & others are not far behind him.

Under this circumstances, with all my good wishes for Capt: Murray personally, & no one has more, I must give my opinion decidedly against the experiment of his Corps or any new Corps to be levied in Ireland at this Crisis: not that it would be accepted with reluctance by the violent opponents of the Provincials but that it would disconcert & damp the activity of their friends, give great umbrage to the undertakers themselves & be made an excuse for the miscarriage in those that may miscarry. I sincerely think Government is bound in policy & honour not to interfere." In fine condition.

After surrendering his troops at Saratoga and returning to Great Britain in disgrace, Burgoyne was somewhat rehabilitated when he was restored to his rank and made commander-in-chief in Ireland in 1782. There he faced turmoil in his ranks, as the Irish Volunteers pressed for liberalization. Taking advantage of Britain's preoccupation with its rebelling American colonies, the Volunteers were able to pressure Westminster into conceding legislative independence to the Dublin parliament. A boldly penned, supremely desirable letter from the significant Revolutionary War commander.