Sep 28, 2023 - Sale 2646

Sale 2646 - Lot 42

Price Realized: $ 2,125
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1783.) Detailed instructions for the dispersal of British forces remaining in New York. 3 manuscript pages titled "A Plan of the Establishment of the Several Regiments to be Reduced," unsigned and in an unknown contemporary hand, docketed on final blank "Instructions from His Majesty to Sir Guy Carleton for the reduction of forces under his command &c"; moderate wear and dampstaining, separations and wear at folds. [New York], 9 June 1783 order, as read 17 August 1783
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As part of the negotiations to end the war, the British government issued military reduction orders to its final commander in New York, Sir Guy Carleton, on 9 June 1783. They were received by Carleton and then proclaimed at his headquarters on 17 August. The ensuing British evacuation of troops, freed slaves, and other loyalists from New York took place three months later.

This document summarizes the 9 June order, enumerating the remaining forces and giving orders for their departure. For example, "It is moreover ordered that the 17th Infantry, 33d, 37th, 42d, 54 & 57th Regiments are to hold themselves in readiness to embark for Nova Scotia, where they are to remain till further orders." Another group of regiments "are to be disembodied as soon as they arrive in Great Britain" but in the meantime "are to be reduced to 400 privates." It adds that "all such men as have entered into marching regiments of infantry since the 16th Dec'r 1775 . . . are now entitled to their discharge . . . and passages provided for them home." Discharged soldiers in Nova Scotia who "wish to settle in that province will be allowed grants of land at the rate of 20 acres to every noncomms'd officer & 100 acres to every private man."