LAFAYETTE, Gilbert du Motier, Marque de (1757-1834). Autograph letter signed (''Lafayette'') to an unnamed correspondent, Morristown, 9 January 1781.
LAFAYETTE, Gilbert du Motier, Marque de (1757-1834). Autograph letter signed ("Lafayette") to an unnamed correspondent, Morristown, 9 January 1781.
Two pages, 210 x 167mm, bifolium (light scattered foxing).
Lafayette orders an espionage report on British troop movements around New York: "General Washington being desirous to know the exact situation of the enemy on the Shore island. I think this late movement of the enemy will give you a better opportunity of knowing what Corps have Remain'd in those parts. I earnestly Request you will please to send in all your spies to night, and as soon as you will get a certain account of what they have on Staten Island, and what remains on Long island, upper ports of York island, the City, and Paulus hook to send me the information By a speedy report to New Windsor – The Man must be directed to Ride Fast and if he makes dispatch, I shall pay him in hard Money." Washington was watching activities in British-held New York City fearing that more troops would be dispatched to Virginia. Benedict Arnold had departed New York on 20 December 1780 commanding a 1600-strong detachment, occupying and burning Richmond, Virginia from 5-7 January. As the situation in Virginia deteriorated further, Washington resolved to send Lafayette with several regiments to Virginia to oppose the American traitor. Lafayette arrived in Virginia in late April and would soon command the forces that would shadow the large army of Cornwallis that had recently moved into Virginia to shelter near Yorktown, Virginia. Compounding these difficulties was the ongoing mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line (which had begun on 1 January), who had departed their cantonment near Morristown, New Jersey and marched south toward Philadelphia to press for their back pay. The British sent agents seeking to bribe the troops to defect. Fortunately for Washington, their entreaties were rejected and the agents arrested.
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PROPERTY FROM THE ROGER D. JUDD COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL LETTERS, DOCUMENTS & MANUSCRIPTS
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LAFAYETTE, Gilbert du Motier, Marque de (1757-1834). Autograph letter signed ("Lafayette") to an unnamed correspondent, Morristown, 9 January 1781.
Two pages, 210 x 167mm, bifolium (light scattered foxing).
Lafayette orders an espionage report on British troop movements around New York: "General Washington being desirous to know the exact situation of the enemy on the Shore island. I think this late movement of the enemy will give you a better opportunity of knowing what Corps have Remain'd in those parts. I earnestly Request you will please to send in all your spies to night, and as soon as you will get a certain account of what they have on Staten Island, and what remains on Long island, upper ports of York island, the City, and Paulus hook to send me the information By a speedy report to New Windsor – The Man must be directed to Ride Fast and if he makes dispatch, I shall pay him in hard Money." Washington was watching activities in British-held New York City fearing that more troops would be dispatched to Virginia. Benedict Arnold had departed New York on 20 December 1780 commanding a 1600-strong detachment, occupying and burning Richmond, Virginia from 5-7 January. As the situation in Virginia deteriorated further, Washington resolved to send Lafayette with several regiments to Virginia to oppose the American traitor. Lafayette arrived in Virginia in late April and would soon command the forces that would shadow the large army of Cornwallis that had recently moved into Virginia to shelter near Yorktown, Virginia. Compounding these difficulties was the ongoing mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line (which had begun on 1 January), who had departed their cantonment near Morristown, New Jersey and marched south toward Philadelphia to press for their back pay. The British sent agents seeking to bribe the troops to defect. Fortunately for Washington, their entreaties were rejected and the agents arrested.
Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY FROM THE ROGER D. JUDD COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL LETTERS, DOCUMENTS & MANUSCRIPTS
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Time, Location
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