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

30030

William Ellery Autograph Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
William Ellery Autograph Letter Signed
<B>William Ellery Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> <I>"Wm Ellery,"</B></I> 1.5 pages, 6.5" x 8", front and verso. Newport, January 16, 1810. Integral leaf addressed by Ellery to <I>"The Honble/William Stedman/in Congress/City of Washington,"</B></I> franked <I>"Free"</B></I> in upper right. In part, <I>"A letter I rec'd yesterday from my good friend Danl. E. Updike induces me to follow my letter to you of the 14th sooner than I expected. In that letter he informs me that his Son Richard whom he had placed five years ago in the store & competing house of Messrs Blodget & Powers of Providence and who has been almost four years their principal Clerk, is desirous of being a Purser in and of our ships of War…they had expressed a strong desire for his establishment at New Orleans as a Commission Merchant and promised that they would aid him all in their powers…He informs me that his son has had from his childhood a strong propensity for the Seas, and that he was not disposed to thwart his inclination, but has requested me to write to Washington in favor of his Son. I have not the least acquaintance with the Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton of South Carolina nor do I know that you have; but I cannot refuse anything to a man who in the most trying times performed his official duties with fidelity and fir whom I entertain the highest esteem…I have but little personal knowledge of my friends son Richard. He was at the Wickford Academy with my son G.W. and was a promising lad. I am well informed that he writes a good hand, is well acquainted with arithmetic, an accurate accomptant, and of pure morals. I think he is abundantly qualified for the Office of a Purser on board any Ship of War…You are at liberty to show this letter to the Secretary of the Navy, to the Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin , or to any other person whom you may think disposed and inclined to promote the application of Mr. Updike, and his deserving Son."</B></I> As Massachusetts Congressman William Stedman had married Ellery's daughter Almy in 1790, Ellery ends this letter, <I>"Yrs affect ionatel y."</B></I> William Ellery, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was collector of the port of Newport, Rhode Island, from 1790 until his death in 1820. It is not known if Richard Updike was ever appointed, but in 1790, a "Daniel E.Updike" had been appointed by President Washington to be surveyor of the port of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. There are two seal tears on the integral address leaf, one extending into the blank left margin of the letter which is tipped to an 8.5" x 10.5" sheet. Lightly stained, the letter is in fine condition.<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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