Sep 30, 2021 - Sale 2580

Sale 2580 - Lot 236

Price Realized: $ 4,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
(WAR OF 1812.) William C.C. Claiborne. "Militia General Orders" to protect New Orleans against a British invasion. Letterpress broadside, 13 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches, signed in type by A. Laneuville as Adjutant General for Governor Claiborne; minimal wear; uncut. In custom buckram tray case, with library presentation plate and deaccession tag. New Orleans, LA, 6 August 1814
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In anticipation of a British campaign against the Gulf Coast, President Madison ordered Louisiana to raise a militia unit for its own defense. Peace negotiations to end the war were already underway, but rumors flew that the British would attempt to reverse the Louisiana Purchase and restore the territory to Spain. Governor Claiborne editorializes: "A project so chimerical, illy comports with that character for wisdom, to which the English government aspires." Still, better safe than sorry: "In case of invasion, the whole militia will be ordered to front the enemy. If our homes and fire sides are menaced, union, zeal and mutual confidence should warm every heart and strengthen every arm." The British did indeed launch a Gulf campaign the following month, which culminated in the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815. Graff 2544 (this copy); not in Jumonville, New Orleans Imprints. Provenance: gift of Everett Graff to the Newberry Library; sold at the library's 4 May 1966 Parke-Bernet duplicates sale, lot 145. None others traced at auction since 1928; one other traced in OCLC, at the Newberry Library.