Nov 01, 2016 - Sale 2428

Sale 2428 - Lot 50

Price Realized: $ 750
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750
WILKINSON, JAMES. Autograph Letter Signed, "JaWilkinson," as Senior Officer of the United States Army, to General Anthony Walton White ("My Dear White"), remarking that certain [mysteriously unspecified] inquiries were successful, inviting him to send Mr. Bootes supplied with regimental equipment, stating that his letters had been intercepted by others looking for evidence of his political inclinations, and in a postscript, criticizing the French [against whom the U.S. would soon begin the Quasi-War]. 1 page, folio; remnants of prior mounting alone right edge verso, moderate staining along left edge touching text, folds. (MRS) "Hd. Quarters" Pittsburgh, 2 May 1798

Additional Details

". . . I am surprised you have not heard of the result of my Enquiries after the ___ [blank], as they were compleatly successful & the result has been long since reported to our friend McPherson. . . . I have had many letters intercepted, in search for my politics, so much the better--yet I think it might be worthy Enquiry, to know the fate of yours & Mr. Bootes transmitted to the War Office. . . ."
The postscript: "The french are at length unmasqued, & stand confessed a band of freebooters, unequaled among civilized nations. The Conduct of our Envoys has been noble, that of our President decisive."