Apr 27, 2017 - Sale 2444

Sale 2444 - Lot 45

Price Realized: $ 2,750
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1783.) Low, Isaac. A former Continental Congressman turned Loyalist pleads for compensation from the Crown. Autograph Letter Signed in text to the "Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for Enquiring into the Losses and Services of the American Loyalists." 4 pages, 12 1/2 x 7 3/4 inches, on one folding sheet; partial separation along center fold, minor toning across folds, minor wear. With typed transcript. (MRS) New York, 21 November 1783

Additional Details

Isaac Low (1735-1791) was a founding member of Continental Congress for New York, but his lukewarm patriotism soon turned to Loyalism. His property was confiscated in 1779, and he fled to England in 1783. Here he applies to Parliament for relief, explaining his complicated personal journey in detail: "Your memorialist hath ever been warmly attached to the British Constitution, and . . . not only accepted, but considered the appointment of a delegate to the first Continental Congress as the highest honor. . . . perfectly convinced that the object nearest to their hearts was (what others only pretended) to accomodate the unhappy differance that then subsisted between Great Britain and her American colonies; but to the great mortification and grief of your memorialist, his hopes and expectations were all frustrated." He explained that his property was confiscated after he refused to attend the Second Congress, but that as a resident of occupied New York, he "has ever been ready and zealous to promote His Majesty's service by any means," serving as an officer in the Loyalist militia. As character references for his loyal conduct he points to Joseph Galloway (another Loyalist congressman) and several British officials. Provenance: Smythe's Manuscript Society sale, 27 May 1989, lot 200, to the consignor.