LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30069

Revolutionary War Colonel David Humphreys LS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Revolutionary War Colonel David Humphreys LS
<B>Revolutionary War Colonel David Humphreys Letter Signed.</B></I> Two pages, 7.5” x 9”, marked copy, Madrid, Spain, July 11, 1800, to William Eaton, Consul General of the United States of America, Tunis. In this great content letter Humphreys, a former colonel in the Revolutionary War and General George Washington’s <I>aide de camp,</B></I> writes the consul general in Tunis and transmits information from the Secretary of State regarding the “<I>Barbary affairs</B></I>”. The letter addresses certain preparations for supplying and fortifying Algiers “<I>…instead of a common ship intended for Algiers this spring, with merchandise for reestablishing our funds there, one of our frigates is getting ready to take in timber and natural and military stores, as well as merchandise…she will of course leave on shore some of her guns & men: but she will remain well armed & manned</B></I>”. Humphreys also informs Consul Eaton that “<I>…Mr. Pickering was dismissed from the office of Sec. of State the 9th of May about which time our Sec. of War McHenry resigned his office; the former has been superseded by General Marshall, late one of our envoys to France; and the latter by Samuel Dexter, Esq. of Massachusetts</B></I>.” As a side note of historical interest it was during his time in Spain that Humphreys bought a herd of merino sheep and exported them back to the United States. Humphreys considered the wool to be superior and products made from their wool became something of a status symbol and as such Humphreys is considered the founder of the woolen industry in America. The paper has toned, with some fading, the usual fold creases, and a paper loss from removal of the wax seal, else a historical letter in near fine condition.<BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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