Revolutionary War
various, ca. 1782-1783
Rev. War Group Lot Illustrating Hardships Faced After the Fighting Had Ended
Archive

Collection of five letters and documents with Revolutionary War content and association. Various places from the years 1782 and 1783. Great content illustrating the difficulties faced by the new nation in the years following the cessation of fighting. Overall condition very good except as noted.

Includes:
Timothy Edwards ALS to Aaron Burr. 1p, 8" x 13"; Stockbridge, [New York]; April 29, 1783. Edwards writes to his nephew, Aaron Burr with news of his affairs that he has been looking after. He opens the letter giving an account of the state of New York City: "It is a sad place into which to carry a family at present – I am much mistaken if pollution both natural and moral should not prevail there very much this summer – I pray you to deliberate in going there. It will be two if not four months before the British will leave it." Edwards was Burr's maternal uncle and became his guardian after the death of both of his parents.

Benjamin Lincoln ALS as Secretary at War. 1p, 7.375" x 8.875"; "War Office" [Philadelphia]; May 22, 1782. A letter to Colonel Ezra Badlam granting him approval to "draw the whole number of rations & also your assistant to which you are entitled." He cautions: "Economy is now the study of the United States you must therefore conform your expenses to that idea." Signed, "B Lincoln" and docketed on the verso in a clerical hand. A fantastic letter illustrating the great financial straits the country was in, despite the fighting essentially being over after Yorktown in October 1781. The Continental Congress had accumulated enormous debts to fund the war, and under the Articles of Confederation, they had no means to tax directly to raise the necessary revenue. A small hole along a fold line affects a single word.

Burr Harrison ALS to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer. 1p with integral address cover, 6.625" x 8"; Dumfries, [Virginia]; September 29, 1783. Harrison writes to St. Thomas Jenifer explaining he will be delayed in paying a debt. He explains, "the times have made hard against me." Docketed on the verso by St. Thomas Jenifer.

Charles Stewart ALS regarding a delivery of livestock. 1p with integral address sheet, 7" x 8.875"; Verplank's Point, October 21, 1782. Then serving as Commissary General of Issues, Charles Stewart writes to a Mr. Hubbard at Peekskill for instructions on what to do with a "Drive of cattle" that just arrived. With period cyphering on the address sheet, likely by the recipient.

Revolutionary War manuscript pay order. 1p, 8.5" x 5.625"; Red Hook, [New York]; November 12, 1782. A pay order issued by purchasing agents Smith & Ketchum to Bartlett Hendrick for "twelve hundred crowns." Docketed and endorsed on verso.

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