Mar 22, 2018 - Sale 2470

Sale 2470 - Lot 6

Price Realized: $ 5,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CAPTAIN OF MERCHANT SHIP ARNOLD, BENEDICT. Autograph Note Signed, "Bened't Arnold," memorandum to Captain Robert Rice giving abbreviated instructions to buy and sell certain goods at certain prices. Additionally inscribed on verso in holograph: "My Letter to Cpt Rice / 1772." Owner inscription on verso: "Given to me by Mr J[ames] McClery / 7 Oct 1840 / J[ames] H[yman] Causten, Jun'r." 1 page, small 4to; moderate toning overall, faint scattered staining, minor scattered ink burn, few tiny holes at fold intersections, addressed to Rice in holograph on verso (writing "Present" in place of address). Np, [1772]

Additional Details

"3m. feet Boards by all means. 1/2 Doz. Shovels. 102 Tea. 6 p'r Womens Shoes, 2 p'r less & two pair something larger than the Pattern, 1 Quintal Fish, 1 doz. Buckets, a small Parcell From Jacksons. Please Exchange the Ten Hogshead Rum for New England let it be all Coloured good Prod't & large Hogshead. Sell Ten Th'd & Pay Mr. Tho's Lee. £82.11.6 & take up my Note you may Deduct £6.10.5 if Taylor takes the Rum. Pray dont Fail getting the Boards as I would not be Disapointed on Any Acc't. If you Cannot get 3s/ for the Old Rum please to bring it up with you. One p'r Cork Shoes of Rose Opposite the market at 13s/4. &."
In 1764 and 1765, Arnold and a partner purchased three merchant vessels, establishing a successful business trading at ports in Canada and the West Indies; Arnold frequently commanded his own ship for the voyages.