Jun 21, 2018 - Sale 2483

Sale 2483 - Lot 18

Price Realized: $ 1,950
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
"MY OLD FRIENDS . . . [HAVE] NO GREAT PROSPECT OF PREFERMENT" GAGE, THOMAS. Autograph Letter Signed, "Tho's Gage," to an unnamed British correspondent ("Dear Sir'), hoping that he would not give up his commission, reporting that he may expect a promotion, lamenting the circumstances of his own friends [William?] Dunbar and [Daniel?] Disney, explaining that he has been occupied providing for his family of three boys (two in England) and three girls, repeating rumors of the death of a mutual friend [Charles?] Lee, asking to convey compliments to Colonel Henry and Serjeant Charles Daven[?], and enclosing a letter for Disney [not present]. 2 1/2 pages, 4to, written on a folded sheet; faint scattered offsetting or bleedthrough, minor loss to portions of two lines of text from small holes in horizontal folds. New York, 3 June 1771

Additional Details

". . . I find repeated Disappointments have at length conquered your Patience, and brought you to the Resolution of selling your Commission. I . . . received News of a Promotion you have so long expected and deserved. I am often chagrined at the Situation of many of my old Friends, Dunbar and Disney are both old Captains, and no great Prospect of Preferment . . . .
"From what you mention of poor Lee it's likely that he is dead; we had reports of the kind here some Months ago but I never could learn from what Foundation they arose . . . ."
Lieutenant William Dunbar and Ensign Daniel Disney served under Gage in the 44th Regiment of Foot, circa 1755; this unit participated in the Braddock expedition against the French in the Ohio Valley.