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Society of Cincinnati Member FREDERICK VON WEISENFELS Autograph Letter 1781

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Society of Cincinnati Member FREDERICK VON WEISENFELS Autograph Letter 1781
American Revolution
1781 Original “Society of Cincinnati” Member Frederick Weisenfels American Revolutionary War Historic Content Plea For Fair Treatment For Continental Army Officers
(BARON) FREDERICK VON WEISENFELS (1724-1806). American Revolutionary War Officer who commanded a regiment of New York Militia (Levies) and Original Member from New York State of The Society of Cincinnati in 1783.
October 20th, 1781-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Autograph Letter Signed, “Fred(erick) Weisenfels,” dated at Saratoga (New York), About Fine. Frederick Weisenfels served as Captain of the 1st New York Line June 28th 1775, 2nd and 3rd New York Regiments as a Lt. Colonel from Nov. 21, 1776 to Jan. 18th, 1779; he then joined the 4rd New York on January 19, 1779 to Jan. 1st, 1781.

This historic content Letter by the former Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding the 4th New York Regiment, 4 pages (back-to-back) with ending notation upon the last page, measuring 5.5” x 8.75” attached with extra paper at the left margin used as a spine, as made with a couple of added small pieces on the back as reinforcement. It is written, “To Captain Henry Dodge,” formerly of the 4th New York Regiment. Weisenfels sends Dodge to inquire with the Governor of New York about officers pensions and half pay, and requests official commissions for those officers and for officers clothing. In this Letter, he advises Captain Dodge to, "please to represent to his Exellency the Condition, the Generality of officers are in with respect, to a Pecuniary assistance." This Letter reads, in full:

“Saratoga - October 29th 1781 - Sir, you will please to Proceed, to Poughkeepsy, on the following, interesting Subjects, vitz 1st a Letter to his Excellency the Governor, respecting the Cloathing Due to the officers, Deranged (displaced) from the Continental Service, 2ndly you are hereby impowered, to treat with the officers, Who are not now in actual Service, but likewise deranged (displaced), on an application to the legislature, respecting our half Pay, in Such a Manner as they already may have derived, provided that it be Consistent, and Uniform, agreable to the intention of Congress, in our favour - insisting on the appellation being Changed, from half pay to a Gratuity, Except we are to be Considered, as the still annexed to the army, then half pay is propre and Consistent - 3rdly to request his Excellency to favour those officers, Whose Names are hereby enclosed, with Commissions, 4thly please to represent to his Excellency the Condition, the Generality of officers are in with respect, to a Pecuniary assistance - if you should suc[c]eed in the 1st instance, please to Lodge the same in a safe place, till on our return a propre dividend can be made - in the 2nd place please to inform us, at your Return of your - success, 3rdly the officers will Expect their Commissions at your Return, and if in the fourth, you will with the same be Exceeding Welcome, Wishing you a good Journey... Your most humble Servt. - (Signed) Fred. Weisenfels.” An added notation on the back, final page reads: “P.S. please to putt your father in mind to favour me with an answer, respecting two letters I have wrote to him, on the Subject of my Deed.”

At the time Weisenfels wrote this Revolutionary War dated letter, he was just out of his long 1775 to January 1st 1781 military service, and having commanded the New York “Levies” (New Militia Soldiers), raised to defend the Mohawk Valley against Iroquois retaliation for the American General Sullivan's 1779 expedition against them. Since he did not have any post-Revolutionary War command, this request for fair treatment, pay and official commissions for the officers that were under his prior command still serving, or have just also retired from active duty. There is also a reference to a Deed, likely the grand of land promised to Revolutionary War officers for their service to their country. A very rare document signed by an original Society of Cincinnati Member, Frederick Weisenfels.
Frederick Weisenfels served as Captain of the 1st New York Line June 28th 1775, 2nd and 3rd New York Regiments as a Lt. Colonel from Nov. 21, 1776 to Jan. 18th, 1779; he then joined the 4rd New York on January 19, 1779 to Jan. 1st, 1781. He was an Original Member of The New York State Society of Cincinnati in 1783.

The Province of New York was a major battleground of the Revolution; New Yorkers joined in the fight for American independence, providing several regiments of troops, and notable leaders like John Lamb, Alexander McDougall, Alexander Hamilton, and Marinus Willett.