LOVELL JAMES Autograph Letter Signed to Dear Sir

Sale 2483 - Lot 36

Unsold

Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500

"WE ARE NOT, SURELY, WORSE OFF THAN IN THE FALL OF '76" LOVELL, JAMES. Autograph Letter Signed, to "Dear Sir," reflecting on the progress of the Revolution. 4 pages, 7x5 3/4 inches, on 2 sheets; each sheet inlaid, folds. With typed transcript. [Philadelphia?], 17 November 1779

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James Lovell (1737-1814) was a teacher at Boston Latin School at the outset of the Revolution. When he wrote this letter, he was serving a term in the Continental Congress, and was a signer of the Articles of Confederation. He helped develop a cipher system for diplomatic correspondence. Mercifully, this letter is in plain English. His first concern is the abortive French naval support expedition led by the comte d'Estaing, which resulted in American defeats in Rhode Island and Savannah: "I must be honest with you in owning the extremity of chagrin at the fruitlessness of the Count's visit to this continent. In imagination I had settled myself & my family up the Bay of Funday in consequence of his reduction of Halifax." He concludes on a note of tempered optimism, though: "It's hoped that the enemy are not in condition to get any considerable advantage this winter, notwithstanding our ill plight as to men, money & clothing. We are too, too much dependent on the chapter of accidents, but we are not, surely, worse off than in the fall of '76."