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Two Military Appointments Signed by John Jay and George Clin

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,100.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Two Military Appointments Signed by John Jay and George Clin

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
lot of 4. Appointments are 9.5 x 15", partially printed, Albany, both for Charles Cameron. First is dated 29 Aug. 1798, at rank of Ensign in the militia in the County of Ontario, signed by John Jay. Second is dated 7 March 1803, at rank of Captain, in the militia of Steuben County, signed by George Clinton. First letter is to Charles Clarke, Oxford Academy, 12 Dec. 1837. It is a cover letter for enclosed money for board and school fees as well as a request to contact a surveyor who apparently did some work for him. Second letter is longer, 16 April 1850. In the second paragraph Cameron writes: The account inclosed is an ancient affair. The John Dolson mentioned was where Col. Williamson lay sick for weeks at his cabin ... Dolson had three sons who were engaged to go with me & Mr W. to assist Col. Burr in establishing a government in Texas, frightening Mr. Jefferson out of his wits.

In 1806, Aaron Burr, having been disgraced by shooting the "favorite son," Alexander Hamilton, put together a plan to gain wealth and power by forming his own nation. Detecting weakness at the time in the government of Mexico, and knowing that there were border disputes, he decided to conquer part of that area and set up his own government. President Jefferson learned of strange proceedings along the Ohio that autumn: boats being built and provisions being collected. Burr had approached General Wilkinson at New Orleans to enlist his help in storing the provisions as they came in, until everything was in place for the expedition against Mexico. Jefferson knew that the invasion of another country was not what the United States needed. There were enough problems still with Britain, particularly impressment of sailors and attacks on American shipping. Burr's actions were high on Jefferson's list of concerns.

Harman Blennerhassett has been "fingered" as Burr's chief associate, but other evidence suggests that Blennerhassett was simply another "tool" used by Burr. He was wealthy, had the perfect "staging point" - an island in the middle of the Ohio River - and was willing, some say at his wife's insistence, to lend a hand. Government troops managed to break up the plot before everyone could get organized. Burr escaped toward Florida, but was pursued by a group of mounted soldiers and shortly arrested. Burr was taken to Richmond to be tried for high treason in front of Chief Justice Marshall. In spite of the four-hour summary by William Wirt, the prosecution failed to make its case and Burr was not found guilty. None of the other "conspirators" were brought to trial, including Blennerhassett.

Burr became an exile, although not welcome in Europe, either. England kicked him out, France kept a close eye on him. Eventually he returned to America, a broken man, supported only by his daughter, Theodosia. Boarding the schooner Patriot in Charleston on 30 Dec. 1812 to meet her father in New York, Theodosia and the schooner disappeared, presumably lost at sea. Burr survived another two decades alone, despised as a murderer and plotter against his country. Blennerhassett was broke. He returned to England, then to Ireland, where he died broke and discouraged in 1831. (Devens, 1883: 142-145) 

Condition: Some toning, expected folds. Appointments moderately toned.