188

William Whipple

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
William Whipple

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Auction Date:2016 Apr 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire (1730–1785), who commanded a brigade of New Hampshire militia at Saratoga in 1777, and then the following year at Rhode Island. Revolutionary War-dated ALS signed “Wm. Whipple,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 9, December 27, 1779. Letter to fellow Revolutionary patriot Nathaniel Peabody concerning affairs and reformations surrounding the state and naval department. The letter opens with Whipple discussing the inconsistencies of the mail, noting that “The pos[t] office is certainly under very bad regulation, but the[n] you’ll say is not the only department that needs reformation.” He continues in a more optimistic manner, observing that “I am happy to find you have taken some measure towards a reformation of the Navy department and hope that commission will be filled with men much better qualified for the business then [sic] I am. However, it will be time enough for me to give my answer when I have official information of the appointment and am made acquainted with the plan. As to the salary I do not suppose that any man who has lived a month in Philadelphia can think that the sum you mention is by any means equal to the necessary expenses that a man in that Character must be at.” Whipple concludes the letter by turning to state affairs: “I expect the Gen’l Court will adjourn this week to the latter end of January there a contest at present between two Houses whether Mr: [Samuel] Livermore shall have a seat in Congress if the determination should be in the affirmative (which I expect will be the case). I suppose that Gentm will immediately set out for Philadelphia but I hope his arrival will not cause your return for I think it of importance that you tarry at least till the Vermont business is finished.” Whipple adds a brief postscript, “I suppose Genl. [Nathaniel] Folsom is with you, tell him I shall very punctually answer every letter he favors me with.” Addressed in another hand on the second integral page. In very good condition, with splits and tape remnants to edges, scattered soiling, and a trimmed right edge.

Whipple’s mention of “Vermont business” is in reference to an ongoing dispute between New York and New Hampshire over the fertile lands west of the Connecticut River in what is now current day Vermont. In early 1777, representatives of the New Hampshire Grants, in an attempt to establish the Republic of Vermont, declared the region independent. This assertion of statehood remained unrecognized by New York, New Hampshire, and the Continental Congress, but in an attempt to thwart any dissension among the fledgling Union, Congress unanimously resolved to determine boundaries among northern states while ordering inhabitants of Vermont to adhere to the prescribed laws of the Union. It was not until 1791 that the state’s admittance application was officially approved. A fascinating letter from the Granite State signer concerning Vermont’s rocky path to statehood.