Lot
31 
1781 Siege of Pensacola. Folded letter datelined "Bedford Sqaure (London) 2 August, 1781" and addressed to Spanish Town, Jamaica, manuscript "1/" rate and "2/AU" Bishop mark on reverse, content with interesting content regarding the war with America & France…The Jamica fleet, last from Leith, are arrived safe in the river…An Express from Sir George Rodney is arrived to day; all I hear is that the French are in possession of Tobago and that there has not been any second Engagement between the French Fleet and ours - Admiral Arburhnot is arrived from New York without any material news - By accounts from France Pensacola surrendered on the 8th of May - The Breor Fleet has got to Cadiz, and joined the Spanards, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $280
Lot
32
1812 East Florida Rebellion. Folded letter written by Georia Congressman George M. Troup and addressed to "Col. Th. A. Smith, Comd U.S. Troops, St. Marys", Savannah, Ga. origin cds and manuscript "12½" rate, letter with fascinating content…On or about the 17th of July I saw the Secy of War at Washington - among other things connected with the military service in Georgia he said that he had ordered the liberation of Maj. Laval both because he could not be brought to trial at St. Marys for want of officers & because the public service demanded his presence elsewhere. He distinctly stated that the measure had been taken with reluctance - that no disrespect was intended toward you - that on the contrary your services were highly valued by him & moreover requested that if I saw you I would make known to you those assurances. It will give me pleasure if these sentiments of the Secty will remove any unpleasant impression which the liberation of Maj. Laval may have on your mind.; minor edge wear and a few tone spots, Very Fine, a wonderful historial letter regarding the imprisonment and release of Major Jacint Laval, ex Meroni. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Major Laval had been placed under arrest at St. Marys by Col. Smith when the major had refused to support the rebels in E. Florida. The refusal of Major Laval to help unless ordered from Washington directly, was one of the major factors in the collapse of the patriot rebellion.
Realized: $2,100
Lot
33
1812 Patriot Invasion of Spanish Florida. Folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa. with rare "Robertsville Blk Swamp. S.C." manuscript postmark and "25" rate, letter from David Ewing - a recently released patriot soldier held prisoner at St. Augustine, letter with content regarding his imprisonment…Mrs. Ewing informs me that she wrote you respecting my being captured but thank heaven I returned safe to my family and found them all in health after suffering a severe confinment of five months and four days as I almost ever heard of. I was in a dungeon in the Fort of Augustine without anything to sleep on but a board six feet long & 9½ inches wide the floor muddy and the driping wet and owning to some error of judgement of Genl. Matthews or of his too great zeal, I was deceived by him and led to believe that I should with the other volunteers be supported by the U.S. nor did I ever know to the contrary until I was liberated by the humanity of the Spanish Governor. During the time above mentioned myself and one more was fed on parsley & beares. lights boild together and a Raisor never come to our faces nor did we ever see the light of the sun in the time except when the door was oppen'd to hand in a piggin of vitrials…I am quite at my ease since I returned home and the manner more my friends sent a petition for my relief but I met it on my way home being liberated by the Governor for reasons unknown while other prisoners were retained but I can inform you that there was some tokens (masonic) passed from me and answered by his Excellency and my liberation followed without one word ever being exchanged on the subject. No Mason is about to hold office in the Spanish Government but you may rest assured there are many who do, F.-V.F., a fascinating and unique letter from one of few soldiers captured during the 1812 Occupation of Spanish East Florida, ex Frajola. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $1,900
Lot
34
First Seminole War. Folded letter datelined "London, 10 August 1818" to New York City, red "Boston, Ms., Sep 22" cds and straight line "Ship" handstamp with "20½" rate, rare blue "Ship Milo, S.G. Bronson, Sail'd Aug 16" dotted circular date stamp (BPM 276A), letter contains reference to an act of Andrew Jackson that nearly caused another war with England…Very much interest is excited here by the capture of Pensacola & the execution of A Arbuthnot & until these occurrences wear off or if satisfactorily explained by your government, the transactions in your funds will be precarious, Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Jackson served in the military again during the First Seminole War. He was ordered by President James Monroe in December 1817 to lead a campaign in Georgia against the Seminole and Creek Indians. The Seminoles attacked Jackson's Tennessee volunteers. The Seminoles' attack, however, left their villages vulnerable, and Jackson burned them and the crops. He found letters that indicated that the Spanish and British were secretly assisting the Indians. Jackson believed that the United States could not be secure as long as Spain and the United Kingdom encouraged Indians to fight, and argued that his actions were undertaken in self-defense. When Jackson captured Pensacola, Florida, with little more than some warning shots and deposed the Spanish governor, he then captured, tried and executed two British subjects, Robert Ambrister and Alexander Arbuthnot, who had been supplying and advising the Indians.
Realized: $1,100
Lot
35
On United States Service/The Commander of the U.S. Sc. Porpoise. Manuscript military endorsement on 1823 folded letter datelined "U.S. Schooner Porpoise off St. Augustine, 31st July 1823"; couple light cover tone spots, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $150
Lot
36
Second Seminole War and the Caloosahatchee Massacre. 1839 letter from Savannah, Ga. to Tennessee from I. Mackey who recently returned from Tampa Bay, letter with fancinating content…I hardly know what to say about the Florida troubles for there appears to neither war nor peace. The Indians shake hands with people one day, the next day take their scalps, and third day apoligize for their conduct. I left the Coloosahatchee the evening before the treacherous murder of 18 out of the 28 persons at the trading house. The Indians looked as mild and talked as amiably as if there was no guile in their hearts and not a soul I imagine suspected or thought of danger from them. They were in comparatively large numbers and no cause can be derived for the outbreak but their love of blood, Very Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $550
Lot
37
U.S. Ship St. Marys off Pensacola Navy Yard/Jany 16th. 1845. Dateline on lengthy 4-page enclosure to Philadelphia, Pa., cover entered the mails with "Pensacola, Flor., Jan 17" cds (type VII) and manuscript "10" rate, letter with interesting content regarding the Mexican War…It appears that Mexico is now in the midst of a revolution. General Paradez at the head of four thousand men has marched upon the capitol and at Vera Cruz there has been some bloodshed. Mr. Sliddel (our Minister) is still in Mexico though he has not yet been received. It is supposed nothing will be done respecting our difficulties until the country becomes settled. This popular movement has, it is said, been occasioned by the arrival of our Minister in Mexico, the opposition party hearing that Mr. S. was clothed with authority to offer twenty million as a consideration for Texas and California, were fearful that this great amount of money would be used against them.; cover with a few stain spots, F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $240
Lot
38
David Levy (Yulee). Signature on two page letter datelined "Homosassa, Flo, Feby 20, 1853" to the Secretary of the Navy (John P. Kennedy) recommendation for the post of Navy Agent at Live Oak, Fla.…Mr. Cyprian T. Jenkins informs me that handstamp will apply for the appt of Live Oak agent in the place of Mr. Waterson, he present incumbent. I beg leave to recommend him to yr favorable consdierarion. Mr. J. has been a long resident of Flo., into which State he immigrated from Maryland. He was lately, & indeed still is, a memberof the Legislature of the State, and I have no doubt would fulfil to your satisfaction & that of the public the duty of the office he desires., Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
David Levy Yulee was an American politician from Florida and the first Jewish member of the United States Senate.
Realized: $450