ELI WHITNEY Autograph Letter Signed E Whitney to Commissary

Sale 2492 - Lot 215

Price Realized: $ 2,470

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 3,500 - $ 5,000

ELI WHITNEY. Autograph Letter Signed, "E. Whitney," to Commissary General Decius Wadsworth, inquiring about the possibility of an appointment for Captain Roswell Lee with a rank and pay equal to that of a Major or Captain, wondering about the likelihood of the War's continuing and about who might be the successor to the Secretary of the Navy. 2 pages, 4to, with integral address leaf; faint scattered dampstaining, vertical fold through signature (without loss). New Haven, 5 January 1813

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". . . I observe there is a proposition before Congress to increase the army, if the measure is adopted it will make an opening for a large number of appointments--Will you be so good as to write to me and inform me whether there is any probability of Capt Lee's obtaining a place either in your Department or in the Army . . . . Be so good as to write me your opinion relative to the continuance of the war--Who is to be the successor of Doct Eustis? Is there to be a new Sec[retar]y of the Navy? . . . ."

From the Collection of William Wheeler III.