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

30113

Timothy Pickering; ALS; 1806; about Aaron Burr

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Timothy Pickering; ALS; 1806; about Aaron Burr
<B>Timothy Pickering Autograph Letter Signed, "</B></I><I>T. Pickering" </B></I>as Senator from Massachusetts, one page, 7.5" x 12.75", Washington, December 27, 1806 to Dr. Cutler. This letter contains significant content reporting upon Wilkinson's exposure of the Aaron Burr conspiracy and preparations to defend New Orleans. He writes, in part: "<I>Genl. Wilkinson arrived at New Orleans the 24th...and writes on the 30th, that he is diligently employed in preparing defenses for the town against Colo. </B></I> Aaron <I>Burr's expedition. Capt. Shaw who commands the naval force there is doing the same. The latter writes the Secretary of the navy on the 29th ulto. to the like purpose, and says that General Wilkinson has laid before him such letters and information as leaves no room to doubt that Burr's first object is to possess himself of New Orleans. And it is there expected a naval force is to enter the river to cooperate with Burr. Colo. Cushing is coming down the Red River with the troops, to proceed to New-Orleans...</B></I>" Wilkinson, Governor of Louisiana, disclosed Burr's plan to establish a southwestern empire and was later the chief witness at Burr's trial for treason in 1807. However he was also a central player in the conspiracy itself, and it was only when he realized the plot was destined to fail that he betrayed his long-time friend and comrade-in-arms. Wilkinson's involvement with the plot made him subject to a court martial in 1811, from which he was acquitted. Pickering was a Quartermaster-General during the American Revolution and also Secretary of War under Washington and Secretary of State under Washington and Adams. Ironically, Pickering was himself a proponent of the secession of the New England States, a movement, that when exposed at the end of the War of 1812, signaled the final demise of the Federalist Party. Weak folds and ink erosion expertly repaired with tissue on second page, very light toning, else very good condition with a nice dark holograph. <I>Ex. Henry E. Luhrs Collection</B></I><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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