?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
LEE, RICHARD HENRY. Autograph Letter Signed, as Chair of the Marine Committee of Continental Congress, to Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia, retained draft, concerning Governor Henry's interest in the exchange of naval prisoners. 1 page, folio; retained draft, moderate dampstaining, paper repairs to separations at folds, verso reinforcement on bottom right 10% of letter, 2 small ink burn holes, numerous cross-outs and emendations. Philadelphia, 3 March 1779
Lee explains how the congressional committee distinguishes between state and Continental prisoners, and how the British negotiate for each, adding that 'no cartel has ever been, or could be settled with the enemy for American prisoners in G.B., they being unwilling there to recognize us in such a light . . . and therefore these exchanges have been confined to prisoners in America only.' Given the enormous number of American prisoners of war who were dying in British prison ships, exchanges were a matter of great urgency, but could only rarely be completed. Published in Letters of Delegates to Congress, 12:142-3. Provenance: Freeman's sale, 16 April 1928, lot 167.
