434

435

436

A. L. s., 2 pp., folio. Charlestown, Jan. 23, 1777. [To Robert Morris].

"The Persius Frigate is now off the Bar, within sight, now in pursuit of two small Vessels. She chased into our Harbour the day before Yesterday 2 sloops, they ran into water where they could not be followed by the Persius, and she sent an armed Boat after them. . ." "We are all here in confusion about alterations in our Constitutionwhat we shall make of it God only knows. Religion is now become the Subject of Dispute & will I am afraid play the Devil with us.

A. D. s., 1 p., oblong folio. Charleston, August 23, 1788; also 7 autograph signatures of Rutledge on titlepages and back of frontispiece from books.

A. L. s., 1 p., folio. Columbia, November 30, 1799. To Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate. In regard to the location for a fort to protect the harbor of Georgetown. With portrait. 2 pieces.

437 SHERMAN (ROGER, Signer from Connecticut). A. D. s., 1 p., 4to. New Haven, October 26, 1767, followed by a memorandum in his hand, dated June 19, 1768, of the marriage of Capt. James Minot and Betty Sherman.

HOW THE NEWS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON WAS RECEIVED IN LONDON

438 SHERMAN (ROGER, Signer from Connecticut). A. L. s., 1 p., folio. Philadelphia, July 28, 1775. To William Williams, the Signer, with his endorsement on the back.

AN EXCEEDINGLY FINE WAR LETTER. "A ship arrived here from Bristol yesterday which sailed the 4th of June & brings intelligence that the account of the Battle of Lexington Sent by the Province with the affidavits had arrived in London that it occasioned the Stock to fall one & half pr cent. that Lord North was greatly astonished &c. but there had not been time to know what effect it would have on the people I am sorry for the Uneasiness occasioned by the appointment of General Officers. General Wooster is dissatisfied as well as General Spencer," etc. Mentions further, General Putnam, General Washington, and Jonathan Trumbull.

439 A. L. s., 1 p., folio. Philadelphia, May 18, 1779. To Benjamin Trumbull. On military matters and conditions in the Colonies. Small hole at seal.

"We had letters yesterday from South Carolina dated the 24th of April nothing remarkable has been done there of late. The Enemy's Army lies on one side of the Savannah River & ours on the other. The Governor of South Carolina is raising militia to reinforce our army, & they are in hopes they shall be able to repel the enemy & drive them out of Georgia, 'tis said they are very sickly," etc.

440

2 A. D. s. New Milford, December 6, 1755 and New Haven, October 18, 1785. Judicial documents. With portrait. 2 pieces.

A REMARKABLE SPECIMEN SIGNED BY EIGHT SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

441 SIGNATURES OF THE SIGNERS. L. s. by John Hancock, Robert Morris, William Ellery, Josiah Bartlett, Thomas M'Kean, Richard Henry Lee, William Hooper and Arthur Middleton. 1 p., folio. In Marine Committee, Philadelphia, Oct. 13, 1776. To John Langdon, Member of Continental Congress, but then acting as Navy Agent.

A SPLENDID COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES OF THE SIGNERS, INCLUDING THE
VERY RARE EXAMPLE OF ARTHUR MIDDLETON, ON ONE LETTER, written in
the year of the Declaration.

"This will be delivered you by Nath'l Falconer Esq. a Gentleman in
our Service and who has in charge to execute some business for us in
yours of the Neighbouring States
Endorsed on the back:
"John Hancock & 7 others addressed to John Langdon Esq. Given
me by his daughter Mrs. Langdon Elwyn in 1827. R. Gilmor.”

[SEE ILLUSTRATION]

442 SMITH (JAMES, Signer from Pennsylvania). A. L. s., 2 pp., folio. York, March 18, 1778. Also signed by Abraham Clark the Signer and John Henry, as a Committee of the Continental Congress to Thomas Wharton, Jr., President of the State of Pennsylvania. With portrait. 2 pieces.

443

A HIGHLY INTERESTING LETTER, relative to the prisoners sent from
Pennsylvania to Virginia.

"The case of the Hon. John Penn and Benj. Chew occasion the Sub-
scribers to trouble your Excellency herewith, they having been ap-
pointed by Congress a Committee . to bring in a report on that
subject. Those gentlemen as Crown Officers, and holding commissions
under the authority of the King of Great Britain, prior to the declara-
tion of Independency, and yet taking no active part against us, that
we know of. . . renders their situation very peculiar. What is

to be done with them consistent with justice and public safety," etc.

A. D. s., 1 p., folio. York County Court, January Term, 1783. Legal document.

444 STOCKTON (RICHARD, Signer from New Jersey). A. L. s., 3 pp., 4to. Princeton, March 14, 1768. To William Kelly. With portrait and residence view. 3 pieces.

445

A FINE SPECIMEN OF THIS RARE AUTOGRAPH. The letter is in reference

to a Suit at Law in the interest of Lord Perth.

A. D. s., 1 p., narrow folio. April Term, 1776. Bill of costs in Legal action. Inlaid.

A NICE 1776 SPECIMEN.

446 STONE (THOMAS, Signer from Maryland). A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. Portobacco, April 17, 1781. To Governor Lee of Maryland.

FINE HISTORICAL LETTER.

"Yesterday morning a sixteen Gun Brig appeared off Swan Point, & sent a Boat with five hands to destroy a vessel on the Stocks near that place. Eight militia under Col. Harris attacked them & took the Boat & Crew, the prisoners are ordered to Annapolis. This morning all the Enemies Vessels which were above sailed down Potomack, and were below Cedar Point at Eleven O'clock. They have done no damage since I last wrote you, except destroying Col. Lyle's house for which you have no doubt been informed. I expect we shall have frequent visits from those plundering Banditti and hope providence will so well prepare us to repel their attacks that they will find the Business as unprofitable as it is disgracefull."

447— A. L. s., 2 pp., 4to. April 13, 1783. To Walter Stone. With portraits and residence view. 4 pieces.

"We have received the long wished official information of a general peace being concluded at which we all most heartily rejoice. We must now set earnestly about paying our public Debt fairly and fully,” etc.

448 TAYLOR (GEORGE, Signer from Pennsylvania). D. s., 1p., 4to. Feb. 3, 1778. Oath of allegiance to Pennsylvania and the United States.

449 A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. Easton, November 18, 1780. To Richard Backhouse. With portrait. 2 pieces.

A FINE SPECIMEN OF A VERY RARE AUTOGRAPH, IN FULL A. L. s.

450 THORNTON (MATTHEW, Signer from New Hampshire). L. s., 4 pp., 4to. Baltimore, February 9, 1777. The latter was written and also signed by William Whipple the Signer. To Hon. Mesheck Weare. With portrait. 2 pieces.

A FINE HISTORICAL LETTER, in which they say: "The confused state
of the Treasury, caused by the removal from Philadelphia, & the
Pressing demands from all quarters, has prevented us from giving to
Mr. Betton the dispatch that we are sensible the Public service de-
mands
The seeming advantages gained by the Enemy in New
Jersey will Eventually be serviceable to the United States, the cruel
Ravages committed by the British Troops has raised such a
Our Army will end the Winter Campaign

spirit of resentment
with Eclat," etc.

451 WALTON (GEORGE, Signer from Georgia). A. L. s., 2 pp., folio. Philadelphia, August 13, 1781. Inlaid. Signed also by Richard Howly.

A FINE LONG LETTER IN REFERENCE TO SENDING DELEGATES TO CONGRESS.