Mar 02, 2023 - Sale 2628

Sale 2628 - Lot 3

Price Realized: $ 23,750
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 15,000 - $ 25,000
"HOWITZERS & SHELLS WILL BE ESSENTIAL . . . FOR CARRYING ON OUR OPERATIONS" (AMERICAN REVOLUTION.) WASHINGTON, GEORGE. Letter Signed, "G:Washington," to President of the Council of Massachusetts Bay James Bowdoin, appealing to him to supply the Continental Army with artillery and powder, telling him to expect estimates for the required equipment from General Knox, reporting that British Admiral [Thomas] Graves has arrived in [occupied] New York Harbor [thus threatening to delay Washington's plans for attack or siege of New York City], and in the postscript: "Besides the present application for powder, requisitions are going & have been already made to some Other States to spare all they possibly can. I have been duly honored with your Several dispatches of the 26th & 27th Ult[im]o." Text in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison. 2 pages, folio, with integral blank; couple small holes at center vertical fold, minor abrasions along left edge of first page, few scattered short closed separations at folds repaired with cello tape, faint toning along fore edge, docketing on terminal page in unknown hand. [Paterson, NJ], 19 July 1780

Additional Details

"It unfortunately happens on a minute examination of our ordnance & Stores at the different Deposits, that we are by no means in so respectable a condition as to these, as it might be wished. A number of Heavy Cannon & Shot--Howitzers & Shells will be essential in addition to those we have, for carrying on our operations with vigor and energy; and also a further quantity of powder. After considering the matter, Your State appears the most likely & the Only One that can assist us in these instances to any great extent, particularly in the Articles of Cannon & Shot--Howitzers & Shells; and being fully convinced that it will be done with the greatest chearfulness, if it is in their power, I have desired Genl Knox to form an Estimate of these four Articles and to transmit it to Your Honble Board. Powder, that is the quantity, will not be precisely mentioned by him, but it being equally material, I entreat that the Board will favor the Continent, with a loan of the largest quantity they can spare, as well as of the other Articles. They will be pleased to favor me with their Answer with respect to the Several matters requested, by the earliest opportunity."
"I am sorry to inform the Board that Admiral Greaves has arrived with Six Ships of the line off Sandy Hook. This is an unlucky incident & embarrassing at present; but it may eventually turn out otherwise."