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William Eaton ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
William Eaton ALS
"WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS BY THE AUCTIONEER ONCE ALL BIDS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DETERMINE THE WINNER FOR EACH LOT."
Fascinating autograph letter signed by William Eaton, American soldier and diplomat to the Middle East during the tempestuous years in the early 1800's when the Barbary Wars raged. Letter brings to life a story detailed in ''The Pirate Coast'' by Richard Zacks, of Eaton acting as loan guarantor for the ransom of a beautiful, aristocratic 12 year old girl, Anna, whom Eaton took into his home, along with her mother, to prevent her sale on the slave market. Letter is addressed to Anna's father, Don Antonio Porcile, and datelined Tunis, 25 April 1801, imploring the man to pay the ransom so that Eaton would not have to (the American government, and not Porcile would ultimately pay it). In part, ''...I took [your family] into my home, and I permitted them to remain here nine months because they had no other place to lay their heads. I ransomed your daughter Anna because, being in my house, both the honor of my flag and my own sensibility dictated it. I have therefore drawn on you for the sum of seventeen thousand piasters of Tunis, being the amount of your obligations to the late Mustafa Cogea [Prime Minister of Tunisia], deceased, which, when paid, will be in full of the ransom of your said daughter Anna - I cannot doubt but the time you have passed at your estate may have enabled you to have made provisions for the payment, though your letters to me are silent on the subject. I shall find myself in the painful situation to transfer the liberty of your daughter Anna, as a pledge to some one who will advance my disbursements on this security. Wishing a speedy enfranchisement to your wretched fellow citizens who are now here in chains, William Eaton''. Two page letter measures 7.5'' x 10''. Expected folds and light toning, else fine.