Lot
1084 
"New York 6 Janry 1776", dateline on folded letter from Walter Buchanan to David Milligan at London, England, endorsed "pr the Samson, Henry Cooper, QDC", two-line "Portsmouth / Ship Lre" postmark with manuscript "4" rating, London "9/FE" Bishop mark on backflap; some soiling and fold toning, Fine, ex-R.M. Willcocks. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
AN EXCELLENT LETTER CONVEYING THE SENTIMENTS IN AMERICA TO THE RECENT KING'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT AND THE BATTLE OF QUEBEC.
This letter from Walter Buchanan to David Milligan mentions, "This day the King Speech to Parlt was presented here, by which it would appear no mercy is to be shown but absolute submission on our part. I think a spirit of infatuation has gone abroad over these lands. Pride on one side and jealousy of the other will cause much blood spilled before this creach is made up. God grant us a speedy reconcilliation and prevent us become to each other, what the Benjamites and Isrealites were — a scourge." No late account from northward, later then the 5th, then Montgomerie lay before Quebec and had given them 24 hours to consider of a surrender, or sending the woman & the children out of town, preceeding his commencing a bombardment, - I wish myself out of this country with all my heart, but my situation wont admit it yet".
The Battle of Quebec was fought on December 31, 1775, between American Continental Army forces and the British defenders of Quebec City early in the American Revolutionary War. The battle was the first major defeat of the war for the Americans, and it came with heavy losses. General Richard Montgomery was killed, Benedict Arnold was wounded, and Daniel Morgan and more than 400 men were taken prisoner. The city's garrison, a motley assortment of regular troops and militia led by Quebec's provincial governor, General Guy Carleton, suffered a small number of casualties.
Realized: $4,750
Lot
1085
1776 (Sep. 19) Providence, R.I. to London, England, folded cover from Rev. J. Graves to the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts at London, censored with: "State of Rhode Island & p., This letter is permitted to be forwarded in the Brig. Triton. Nichs. Cooke Govr.", carried by cartel Brig Triton from Providence through the British blockade to Liverpool, two-line "Liverpool / Ship Lre" handstamp with manuscript "5" rating, neat London "10 / FE" arrival backstamp; couple small edge tears, clean and Very Fine, ex-R.M. Willcocks. Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED AMERICAN CENSORED COVERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, THIS BEING THE ONLY TRANSATLANTIC EXAMPLE.
The interesting letter starts, "Since Independency has been proclaimed here, my 2 Churches have been shut up, - still go onto baptize their Children, visit their Sick, bury their Dead, & frequent their respective Houses with the same Freedom, as usual; & add, with Gratitude, that their Benefactions to me, since the above Period have been great…" He mentions he last wrote Sep. 25th 1775.
The 140-ton brigantine "Triton" was captured by the Rhode Island Privateer Sloop "Montgomerie" around late Aug. 1776. The "Triton" had been bound from Barbados to Whitehaven, England when captured. She was sent into Providence, arriving on 16 September 1776. The court records indicate that she was libeled on 13 September 1776 and tried on 7 October 1776. The "Triton" was purchased by several British prisoners and fitted out as a cartel to carry prisoners to England. Among those who received permission from the Rhode Island government to leave, on 15 November 1776, was Captain Martindale, his two mates and four apprentices, all of the Triton. This letter was censored and held for this cartel voyage to England.
The other recorded American censored cover is a July 5th 1775 cover from Barbados to Halifax, Nova Scotia via Machias Me. where docketed "Opened by order of the Committee of Safety for Machias Jas Lyon". This letter was carried by the same Brig "Triton" with Capt. Gideon from Barbados to Rhode Island, leaving Sep. 6th 1775 for Newbury and London. It was offered in the Edward Siskin collection (Bennett sale 290 lot 151, $15,600).
Realized: $27,000
Lot
1086
1778 (Jul. 14) Alresford, England to St. Quentin, France readdressed to St. Brieux, datelined folded letter with manuscript "Examined, July 16, E. Knapp" censor marking, original red wax seal resealed with black wax by censor, entered mails with "Alres / Ford" two-line postmark on flap with manuscript "p 3" pence prepaid rating to London, red "Post Paid" circled handstamp, Bishop "20 / IY" marking on back, French "Angleterre" straightline handstamp and manuscript "30" sols rating for 20s England-France plus 10s Paris-St. Brieux, flap with manuscript "Deb de St Qui" for debourse de St. Quentin, readdressed to St. Brieux, Very Fine and rare censored prisoner of war letter, ex-Barry Jay. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A RARE FRENCH PRISONER OF WAR LETTER DURING THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.
This was a letter from a French naval officer whose ship was captured by HMS "Hector", part of an English squadron. He was taken to Alresford where he was on parole. This is particularly interesting as it was signed by the censor.
Realized: $6,750
Lot
1087
1779 (Dec. 28) London, England to Nantes, France, datelined folded letter with green "D'A / B" (D'Angleterre par Bruxelles) handstamp applied in Bruxelles, manuscript "28" sols due rating for London-Paris 20s plus Paris-Nantes 8s, charged as though went directly to France, Very Fine, ex-Barry Jay. Estimate $500 - 750.
Between 1775 and 1783, the thirteen British colonies on the eastern seaboard of North America were in conflict with their parent country, Great Britain. In February 1778, France entered into a Treaty of Alliance with the United States and in June 1779, the post between England and France cease, not commencing until Mar. 14th 1783. The G.P.O. announced this on Jun. 28th 1779.
An arrangement was made between the French post and that of Tour & Taxis for letters between Great Britain and France to travel via Brussels and Valenciennes. Letters from England to France received the distinctive D'A / B (D'Angleterre par Bruxelles) handstamp in Brussels recorded as used 1779-1780.
Realized: $500
Lot
1088
1781 (Aug. 15) New York, N.Y. to Edinburgh, Scotland, datelined folded letter from General Stirling, carried by British packet to England, London "26 / SE" bishop mark on flap and "1N" shilling packet rating crossed out and updated to "1N6" 1s6d due for 1s packet fee plus 6d to Edinburgh, Very Fine, ex-Barry Jay. Estimate $2,500 - 3,500.
AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM GENERAL STIRLING CONCERNING LEAVING AMERICAN JUST PRIOR TO LORD CORNWALLIS' SURRENDER IN OCTOBER 1781.
Letter reads, "…I am uncertain as to the time when I shall leave this country, as I must wait for a fleet sailing for London, as the packets are not safe, inconvenient, and the land journey from Falmouth more than I could bear… A fleet will it is thought to sail at the end of next month, the which I shall take advantage of, if Monsr de Grasse does not shut us up, which they threaten from the rebel camp. A reinforcement of between 2-3,000 German recruits arrived here lately which makes us a little more respectable and may enable S H Clinton to look our foes at the White Plains in the face, who await only the arrival of the French fleet off the Hook to attack New York…"
Thomas Stiling became captain in the 42nd or Royal Highland regiment in July 1757. He became major in 1770, and lieutenant-colonel in 1771, commanding his regiment throughout the Revolutionary War. He was in the engagement, on Staten Island, the Battle on Brooklyn Heights, in 1776, the storming of Fort Washington, the capture of Red Bank, the battle of the Brandywine, and that of Spring on June 7th 1780, where he was wounded. He was made colonel in 1779, and held the rank of brigadier general under Sir Henry Clinton in the expedition against Charleston S.C. in 1780. He became colonel of the 71st Highlanders in February 782, major-general in November following, lieutenant-general and a baronet in 1796 and general Jan. 1st 1801.
Realized: $5,500
Lot
1089
1781 (Sep. 20) Sandy Hook, Canada to London, England, datelined folded letter from British sailor addressed to Benjamin Elias at Bank Coffee House, Cornhill, reverse with London "5 / NO" Bishop mark, edge wear and some separation, Fine, ex-Barry Jay. Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
AN OUTSTANDING LETTER DESCRIBING CORNWALLIS' DIFFICULTIES AT THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.
Letter reads, "Dear Elias, For once let a Jew and perhaps an Infidel correspond - allons - Our situation is too precarious to crack jokes - and time at present only allows me to inform you that the time is fast - very fast advancing that I must determin the facts between England and America.
In short Lord Cornwallis is now in Yorktown (Virginia) with about 10 thousand men and about 9 weeks provisions - not more and surrounded totally by at least 20 thousand men - French and American commanded by General Washington - also the French have a fleet of thirty six sail of the line which totally commands Chesapeak Bay and prevents our supplying Lord Cornwallis with provisions - we have 23 sail of the line under the command of Admiral Greaves [sic] who had not yet left America which prevents Admiral Digby's command. In ten days its expected we shall make a bold push, it signifys not saying we shall we must or Lord Cornwallis must inevitably share the same fate of poor Borgoyne and America is gone for ever.
I can only add that much the English Jack am I that my sole wish is that if we cannot gain the Victory - I hope we shall do mre - deserve it - there has been an action about a fortnight past we 18 sail the French 24 - both parties by consent asit were I think two or three days in sight of each other without ting to come again to action - we arrived off Sandy Hook on Monday last & wait a fair wind to get up to N: York to water and expect to sail with the whole fleet in 8 days at most….".
Realized: $11,500
Lot
1090
1782 (Jul. 3) Westminster, England to New York, N.Y., folded letter addressed to Capt. Richard Callcott of his Majestys Sloop Albacore, London "3 / IJ" bishop mark with manuscript "1N" shilling due packet rating, Very Fine, ex-Barry Jay. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Letter reads in part, "We have sent in your Commission to the Admty to be confirmed, and were in hopes to have forwarded it to you by this opportunity…" and "We shall be glad to hear some tiding s of your Jamaica Prize.", and interesting news about peace negotiations, "We know not whether our Offers to America through Sir Guy Carleton will produce any thing pacific. Our new Ministers seem much inclined to Peace, but we do not think they take the most likely steps to obtain it when they paint the Country in a state of Ruin. It is true we are in a bad way - but have stil resources, and we believe there will be no permanent Peace 'til you can reduce the French Navy by some decisive blow. Lord Howe is gone to Sea, with orders, it is said, to fight the combined fleets at all events; we fear he is inferior in numbers, but have every opinion of his abilities & bravery.
The outward bound Newfoundland Fleet have many of them fallen into the Enemy's hands - but Adml. Campbell escaped.
Lord Rockingham died a few days ago. Lord Shelburne is talked of to succeed him as Prime Minister."
The American privateer ship 'Royal Louis' was operated by the Pennsylvania Navy and taken by HMS Sloop "Nymph". She was commissioned by the British Navy on Oct. 9th 1781 as HMS Sloop "Albacore" with Richard Callcott as commander Oct. 19th 1781 to Dec. 15th 1782, then promoted to Captain and commanding until April 9th 1783.
Realized: $6,500
Lot
1091
(War of 1812) 1814 Sep. 27th "The London Gazette" Announcing the Burning of Washington D.C., Captain Smith Asst. Adj. copies the following communication from America, "30th August, 1814, My Lord, I have the honour to communicate to your Lordship, that on the night of the 24th instant, after defeating the army of the United States on that day, troops under my command entered and took possession of the city of Washington….Having halted the army for a short time, I determined to march upon Washington, and reached that city at eight o'clock that night. Judging it of consequence to complete the destruction of the public buildings with the least possible delay, so that the army might retire without loss of time, the following buildings were set fire to and consumed - the Capitol, including the Senate-house and House of Representation, the arsenal, the dock-yard, treasury, war-office, President's palace…a frigate nearly ready to be launched, and a sloop of war, were consumed…", Very Fine and excellent War of 1812 collateral item. Estimate $350 - 500.
The copy of this letter details the actions of the British Army in fighting the American Army during the Battle of Washington D.C., and led to the burning of the public city buildings.
Realized: $575
Lot
1092
(Mexican War) "Hospital Monterrey, Mexico", note on soldier's folded cover to Columbus Oh., "Brazos, Mar 20" two-line postmark and matching "10" rating handstamp, forwarded to Fort Wayne In. with red "Columbus O. Apr 12" cds and manuscript "5" rating; file fold, a Very Fine use. Estimate $300 - 400.