Nov 21 at 12:00 PM - Sale 2687 -
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Sale 2687 - Lot 24

Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1777.) Order by the Massachusetts Council to fund James Warren and his secret committee for sniffing out Tories. Partly-printed document signed by John Avery as secretary, and 14 members of the legislature, issued to treasurer Henry Gardner, and signed additionally on verso by two recipients. 2 pages, 8 x 6½ inches; inlaid into later mat, repaired separations at folds, moderate dampstaining. No place, 7 February 1777
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In early 1777, one of the main threats perceived by the Revolutionary cause was an uptick in Tory sentiment; it was frequently mentioned in the published letters of Samuel Adams from this period. On 7 February 1777, the Massachusetts legislature appointed a secret committee to investigate and thwart the disloyal element, passing this legislation: "Whereas this court is informed that divers persons inimical to the rights, liberties, and happiness of the United States, have concerted and are endeavoring to carry into execution plans highly injurious and detrimental; it is necessary that a sum of money be lodged in the hands of a committee, to be applied in the most secret manner, according to their discretion, for the discovery thereof: therefore, resolved, that the sum of £200 be granted and paid out of the public treasury to James Warren, Aaron Wood and Samuel Freeman Esqs. who are appointed a committee for the above purpose, and who are authorized to dispose of the same accordingly, and hereafter account with this court for the expenditure thereof" (quoted in Freeman's "History of Cape Cod: The Annals of Barnstable County," page I:503).

We don't know much about the actions of this secret committee, but offered here is the treasury warrant which funded them. Dated on the same day as the authorizing legislation, it orders the treasurer that £200 be paid to Warren, Wood, or Freeman on their demand, signed by 14 members of the legislature including James Bowdoin, James Winthrop, Ebenezer Thayer, and Artemas Ward.

On verso, we see that at least some of this money was actually spent. On 25 June, Aaron Wood signed for £40, and on 11 April 1778 Oliver Prescott signed for an additional £100.

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