Apr 27, 2017 - Sale 2444

Sale 2444 - Lot 44

Price Realized: $ 1,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1783.) Banister, John. A Newport Loyalist's letter explaining the process for compensation by the Crown. Autograph Letter Signed to fellow Newport merchant John Malbone in Rhode Island. 2 pages, 8 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches, plus integral address leaf; seal tear affecting a couple of words, address leaf cropped with loss of any postal markings, mount remnants on final blank. With typed transcript. (MRS) London, 2 May 1783

Additional Details

In the wake of the peace treaty, wealthy Loyalists scrambled to protect their finances. Former Newport, RI merchant John Banister here writes from London "It is reported and universally believed that a full restitution will be made to those who have suffered for the service of the British King in the late war. . . . A million and a half is thought of by many members of Parliament to be granted. . . . If such a sum should be granted, no two people have better claim to share of it than ourselves. Hadn't you better make out a state of your damages and transmit it to some friend here." Banister also promises, if he hits the compensation jackpot, to return to Rhode Island for some hunting with his old friend.