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[ROBERT E. LEE]

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:150.00 - 250.00 USD
[ROBERT E. LEE]
<p><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'>[ROBERT E. LEE] </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:windowtext'>Referencing a published notice [present] by Robert E. Lee, Lt. Engrs, in his first important independent assignment since his 1829 graduation from West Point, seeking bids for a government contract to furnish 2000 Piles for improvements of the Harbor of St. Louis. B & A King writes to business associate James T. Swerengen in St. Louis. ALS, 1p, 4to, Bassora [MO], Jan 26, 1838. Seeking inside information, he writes in part, “...<i>We have an idea of bidding for the inclosed Contract, which you will perceive is published by the agents of government at St. Louis, for that purpose...we conclude you can ascertain and inform us, with considerable certainty, what bids will be put in at and on what terms the contract can probably be obtained. If you can do so...we will endeavor to requite in transactions hereafter. We have abundance of suitable timber...we would like to get as much out of Uncle Sam as possible.</i>..” Boldly penned and signed. Newspaper notice tipped to left edge. Light foxing; chipping along left edge with little paper loss; o/w VG.</span></p>