?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
"WHEN THE ENNEMY APPEAR . . . I CAN IN FOUR DAYS BE WITH YOU" LAFAYETTE, GILBERT DU MOTIER; MARQUIS DE. Autograph Letter Signed, "Lafayette," as Major General, to Brigadier General George Weedon, theorizing about the enemy's next move, and ordering Weedon to prepare to defend Fredericksburg. With Franking Signature "Lafayette M G" on address leaf. 3 pages, folio; small seal hole affecting text. Richmond [VA], 3 May 1781
Lafayette describes his successful effort to deter the British from Richmond ("they have spoke with surprise of the rapidity of our march") and the disposition of Good's and Innis's militia, before conveying his important orders for Weedon: "From every circumstance I am aprehensive that having been frustrated in their tentative against Richmond, the ennemy will proceed to Frederisburg. You know that Mr. Hunter's works are the great resource of the Southern Department. I wish therefore you will remain in that part and collect a number of good riflemen . . . ready to be into the field when the ennemy appear at the mouth of Pottowmack, where you will have an intelligent officer and a chain of expresses to convey his letters to you. From the time I know that the ennemy appear at the mouth of Pottowmack, I can in four days be with you." Published in Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution, IV:77-79.
