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