?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
MICHIGAN. McKee, Alexander. A renowned British Indian agent tries to arrange the capture of his escaped slave. Autograph Letter Signed ("AMcKee") to brother James McKee of Christie's Creek near Pittsburgh, PA. One page, 12 1/2 x 8 inches, plus integral address leaf; worn at folds with slight loss and address panel detached. Detroit, 14 September 1795
Alexander McKee (1735-1799) was a major figure in the early history of the Detroit area. A long-time trader and Indian agent along the western frontier, he remained loyal to the Crown during the American Revolution and was instrumental in securing alliances with the Shawnee and other tribes. This letter was written from Fort Detroit in its last year before its transfer from British to American rule. It concerns McKee's slave Bill who had escaped: "I sit down hastily to inform you that Bill, Hannah's son, ran away to General Wayne's camp while I was lately in Lower Canada. I have since heard he intends to go to see his mother in Pittsburg. I beg therefore if you can find him that you will take him & send him to be sold, if you can get a good price for him at some considerable distance from Pittsburg or this country. Be perfectly on your guard & do not trust to one word of what he may say. He was left in charge of my house here on my going to Quebec & took the opportunity of my absence to go off with many things belonging to me." As both Upper Canada and Pennsylvania had passed gradual abolition acts, the handling of the sale was a delicate matter, so brother James would not have been able to make the sale in Pittsburgh. Slavery documents from the western frontier are scarce, and McKee's involvement adds to the interest.
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