An archive of letters and documents - photo 1
An archive of letters and documents - photo 2
An archive of letters and documents - photo 3
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An archive of letters and documents - photo 9

An archive of letters and documents

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$ 37 800
Auction dateClassic
25.04.2022 10:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
Archive
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Archive
ID 743796
Lot 136 | An archive of letters and documents
STEUBEN, Friedrich Wilhelm von (1730-1794), WALKER, Benjamin (1753-1818), FRAUNCES, Samuel (1723-1795) and others. A collection of manuscripts and documents, c.1780-1792. Twenty leaves, various sizes ranging from 122 x 195mm to 331 x 423mm (occasional marginal tears). [With:] a 16mo (130 x 82mm) notebook with 9 pages filled in. Blue paper wraps (torn along spine). "the Enterprize on N[ew] York will be the most glorious if crowned with success and also the most hazardous if undertaken without the necessary means to go through with it." An important archive of manuscripts concerning the military career of Inspector-General "Baron" von Steuben featuring a lengthy manuscript dictated to his aide-de-camp Benjamin Walker concerning Steuben's strategic recommendations for the Campaign of 1780; as well as instructions for a review and maneuvers staged for the benefit of the incoming French Ambassador staged in Morristown on 24 April 1780. Other documents include several signed by Steuben including a small notebook containing notes in Steuben's hand in French and German; various invoices including a 2 December 1783 invoice from Samuel Fraunces for an "Entertainment," held two days before Washington's famous farewell to his officers; a bill for printing Steuben's 1784 pamphlet A Letter on the Subject of an Established Militia, and Military Arrangements: Addressed to the Inhabitants of the United States; a 1781 return for supplies during the summer 1781 campaign in Virginia; as well an account with the financier William Duer. [Includes:] STEUBEN, Friedrich Wilhelm von (1730-1794). Autograph notes in German and French in a 16mo notebook, n.p., but c. 1778. Includes accounting of monies; notes on several soldiers including members of the 4th Pennsylvania and the 7th Maryland; as well as the structure of a typical regimental command (in pencil). – Document signed ("Steuben") New York, 16 December 1792. An order to pay Joseph Corre a balance of £23.15 (vertical tear) – The concluding portion of a letter signed ("Steuben") to an unnamed recipient, [n.p., n.d.]. Steuben advises his correspondent to "write to me every fortnight concerning the Business of the Farm and Likewise of the Patent in General and your Letters put into the hands of Mr. Peter Smith at Old Fort Schuyler." – STEUBEN, Friedrich Wilhelm von (1730-1794) dictated to WALKER, Benjamin (1753-1818). Autograph manuscript, [Fish Kill, c.9 July 1780]. 8 pages. Recommending a plan for Franco-American Operations, 1780. A draft of Steuben’s lengthy 9 July 1780 memorandum to George Washington outlining his recommendations for combined Franco-American operations for the 1780 campaign. against New York City. Steuben offers three scenarios, each beginning with a “Supposition,” followed by a “Plan of Operation.” The first “Supposition” assumed that British assets in and around New York remained as they were at present with only four ships of the line to defend the harbor. Assuming, “the French fleet passes the Narrows," and an attack on Staten Island successful, “a sufficient Force on Barren Neck,” could be deployed to “prevent their retreating to N York — if this is possible the Object would be well worth the Trouble and even some risque…" Assuming the French fleet could pass the narrows they would proceed directly up the Hudson, while "our Army should assemble near Kings bridge and there remain till the necessary preparations are made to operate on Long Island…" The army at Kings Bridge would keep the British distracted as a combined force of French and American troops crossed from Connecticut to Long Island to mount "attack the Heights of Brooklin." Assuming victory there, "either by regular approaches or a coup de main, our Vessels will have a free entry into the East River, and would I should imagine be able to burn all the enemy's shipping in the Harbor, bombard & cannonade the City…" Once command of Staten Island and Brooklyn Heights had been secured, "the situation of the Enemy will become critical if not desperate…" and troops stationed at Kings Bridge could begin their advance upon Manhattan island. Steuben's "2nd Supposition" assumed that new recruitment for the Continental Army went badly which would render the first plan extremely risky: "a single delay, a single false maneuver by land or water," would provide the British the means to derail the entire plan. As an alternative, he recommended an attack against Canada, which while not as significant as the capture of New York, would help secure "the frontier from the incursions of the Savages…." The "Third Supposition," assumed that British naval strength would prevent the French navy from entering New York Harbor or the St. Lawrence, he proposes a move against Halifax, "the great Naval Magazine of the English in America," Charleston, and even St. Augustine. But for Steuben, "the Enterprize on N York will be the most glorious if crowned with success and also the most hazardous if undertaken without the necessary means to go through with it." – Autograph manuscript, [Morristown, c.24 April 1780]. 5 pages. Maneuvers for the incoming French Ambassador. A lengthy set of instructions for a series of maneuvers staged for a review held the benefit of the incoming French Ambassador to the United States, Anne-César de La Luzerne: "the Maneuvers to be performed before the Ambassador of France being founded on the principles established in the Regulations it would be a disgrace to the Army not to have them performed with precision which the Commander in Chief has a right to expect from the Zeal & application of the Officers…." Autograph manuscript, [n.p., n.d] docketed “Notes delivered to Gen Washington 11 Apl 1782” concern matters of logistics surrounding the distribution of rations. These notes have not yet been found in the Papers of George Washington.  [Also Includes:] FRAUNCES, Samuel (1723-1795). Autograph document signed ("To Samuel Fraunces") in text, [New York,] 2 December 1783. Celebrating the Evacuation of New York at Fraunces Tavern. An invoice for "An Entertainment" at Fraunces Tavern totaling £59-6 held two days before Washington bade his tearful farewell to his officers. This was one of the many parties staged in the brief period between the British evacuation of New York City on 25 November and Washington's departure from New York following his farewell. The night of 2 December was punctuated from 6:00 to 7:00pm by a dazzling fireworks display staged by Captain William Price at Bowling Green. The New York Gazette claimed that the fireworks "infinitely exceed every former Exhibition in the United States." (3 Dec. 1783, p. 3). The same afternoon, a delegation representing Irish volunteers were meeting in the city to offer their congratulations to Washington, and this "Entertainment" may have been for their benefit. Those present on the evening of the second consumed over forty bottles of madeira, claret and port as well as copious amounts of punch, porter and "spruce." – DUER, William (1743-1799). Manuscript document, [New York,] 1786. An account between Duer and Steuben amounting to $12,942.23. – DOUGLAS, Chombley. Document signed, New York, 10 October 1785. A receipt noting payment in full for a bill for £20 for "printing 200 Pamphlets, on the Subject of a Military Establishment…" printed by J. McLean and Co. The note paid "in full by a draft on William Duer Esqr." The bill for his 1784 pamphlet, A Letter on the Subject of an Established Militia, and Military Arrangements: Addressed to the Inhabitants of the United States. – RICE, George. Autograph document signed ("Geo Rice AQM") [Virginia,] 10 July - August 31 1781. An account for food and supplies for his forces operating in Virginia for the early stages of the Yorktown campaign including flour, salt, various tools and horse tack. – STILLE, John. Manuscript document, n.p., 26 November 1782. An invoice for £69-5-2 for clothing for Steuben and his servants.
Place of origin:USA
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