On Arnold's treason - photo 1

On Arnold's treason

Lot 35
16.10.2020 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 2 750
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 411442
Lot 35 | On Arnold's treason
Estimate value
$ 3 000 – 5 000
ARNOLD'S TREASON – STRACHAN, William. Autograph letter signed ("Wm Strachan") to Major Sebastian Bauman, "Camp at Totaway," 22 October 1780.

One page, 335 x 212mm, (scattered foxing, a few toned spots, tear at bottom margin) with address panel on verso.

Writing to the commander of artillery at West Point on Arnold's treason. Strachan, a fellow artillery officer in the 2nd Continental Artillery, offers his thoughts on Arnold's betrayal: "Arnold's Character with You I Agree, his Abilities are not Equal for Royal company, Neither Can the Acquaintance that he has with States or history, be Very Shining[?], Nor Can I See any thing which could Induce him, had Not his Avaricious Soul thirsted after Gold, Despised by us, Despysed by them, he lives now I am convinced his Own Torment, if he dare Suffer himself to Reflect on his Conduct, his Conscience must Eternally be Stabbing him to the Soul for his Cursed Treacherry, but its One Villain gone I wish they was all with him, for Doubtless there are More Among us." William Strachan served as the regimental quartermaster for the 2nd Continental Artillery from 1778 to 1783 (Heitman). Major Sebastian Bauman (1739-1803) commanded a company of New York artillery from 1776 until early 1777, when he was commissioned a captain in the 2nd Continental Artillery (Heitman), and was in command of the artillery at West Point in September 1780 when Arnold decamped to the British lines after John André, his go-between, was captured near Tarrytown, New York. One of the documents found on André's person was prepared and signed by Bauman detailing the ordnance stored at West Point. Bauman is perhaps best known today for his map of the siege of Yorktown.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
01.10.2020 – 16.10.2020
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>