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Auction archive: Lot number 8

AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. PREBLE, Jedidiah (1707-1784). Brigadier General . Four autograph letters signed ("Jedidiah Preble") to John Waite, Boston, June 1777 - 17 August 1778. Together 5½ pp., folio and 4to .

Auction 24.05.2002
24 May 2002
Estimate
US$2,500 - US$3,500
Price realised:
US$6,572
Auction archive: Lot number 8

AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. PREBLE, Jedidiah (1707-1784). Brigadier General . Four autograph letters signed ("Jedidiah Preble") to John Waite, Boston, June 1777 - 17 August 1778. Together 5½ pp., folio and 4to .

Auction 24.05.2002
24 May 2002
Estimate
US$2,500 - US$3,500
Price realised:
US$6,572
Beschreibung:

AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. PREBLE, Jedidiah (1707-1784). Brigadier General . Four autograph letters signed ("Jedidiah Preble") to John Waite, Boston, June 1777 - 17 August 1778. Together 5½ pp., folio and 4to . A FRANK COMMENTARY ON THE COURSE OF THE WAR. An excellent group of letters in which Preble reports upon important events of the war. Preble, who served as a Colonel of a Massachusetts regiment during the French and Indian War, was 67 when elected as a general officer of the militia at the outset of the Revolution. In June, 1777, Preble mentions recent news from Benjamin Franklin concerning foreign aid: "Every application made to other powers has succeeded beyond his expectations & equal to his most sanguine wishes." Expressing optimism at the growth of Washington's Army which had reached 16,700 men, Preble notes: "it appears to me, that the situation of our Publick affairs, appears at this Time, more incurrageing, than ever...since the contest between great Britain & America commenc d." On 1 July, 1777, Preble criticizes the retreat of General Arthur St. Clair from Ticonderoga: "The Scandilous Retreat of general St. Clear, from Tyconderoga, is matter of grate speculation, I have seen two letters from him & if he can give no better satisfaction to the Publick...he deserves the severest Punishment." He notes a defensive action conducted by Colonel Samuel Bruer in which 300 of the enemy were killed and expresses his belief that "if the same spirit had anamated Gen l. St. Clear Tyconderoga would still have been in our Hands. I hope this will teach us never to give a commition to a Scotchman again." Preble gives praise to Captain John Manley (1734-1793) for his June 7 capture of the British frigate Fox and notes that it is "a noble example for all Sea Commanders to follow." He expresses concern that the British may move on Rhode Island and notes American efforts to counter them. On July 16, 1778, Preble refers to the recent battle at Monmouth and states "it appears to me the grate general Clinton cuts but a verry disposeable figure in his first seting out at the Head of the British Army." He expresses his belief that the British "are near to the end of their Tether" as they are shipping out their heavy guns from Newport and Halifax and are in the "gratest Confusion immaginable." Speaking of the loyalists, Preble writes that "there is a number of the Reffuges that declare they will return & throw themselves on the mercy of the State Live or Dye" but concludes "they should keep the side they have chose & never be allowed to set their feet on any part of America." Preble also notes the arrival of the French fleet in the Chesapeake. On 17 August 1778, Preble writes about General Sullivan's preparations for the Battle of Rhode Island. He stresses the importance of the French Fleet on which, he believes, "depends the success in a grate measure of the enterprize against Rhode Island." Noting Sullivan's concerns that he will be outnumbered, Preble optimistically states: "we have had advice from Head Quarters that our army were advance within half a mile of the Enemys Lines and that they ware in high spirits & marcht up to their lines in the gratest order & Regulation." Preble's son, Edward, would emerge as one of the United States' great naval officers. Together four items . (4)

Auction archive: Lot number 8
Auction:
Datum:
24 May 2002
Auction house:
Christie's
New York, Rockefeller Center
Beschreibung:

AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. PREBLE, Jedidiah (1707-1784). Brigadier General . Four autograph letters signed ("Jedidiah Preble") to John Waite, Boston, June 1777 - 17 August 1778. Together 5½ pp., folio and 4to . A FRANK COMMENTARY ON THE COURSE OF THE WAR. An excellent group of letters in which Preble reports upon important events of the war. Preble, who served as a Colonel of a Massachusetts regiment during the French and Indian War, was 67 when elected as a general officer of the militia at the outset of the Revolution. In June, 1777, Preble mentions recent news from Benjamin Franklin concerning foreign aid: "Every application made to other powers has succeeded beyond his expectations & equal to his most sanguine wishes." Expressing optimism at the growth of Washington's Army which had reached 16,700 men, Preble notes: "it appears to me, that the situation of our Publick affairs, appears at this Time, more incurrageing, than ever...since the contest between great Britain & America commenc d." On 1 July, 1777, Preble criticizes the retreat of General Arthur St. Clair from Ticonderoga: "The Scandilous Retreat of general St. Clear, from Tyconderoga, is matter of grate speculation, I have seen two letters from him & if he can give no better satisfaction to the Publick...he deserves the severest Punishment." He notes a defensive action conducted by Colonel Samuel Bruer in which 300 of the enemy were killed and expresses his belief that "if the same spirit had anamated Gen l. St. Clear Tyconderoga would still have been in our Hands. I hope this will teach us never to give a commition to a Scotchman again." Preble gives praise to Captain John Manley (1734-1793) for his June 7 capture of the British frigate Fox and notes that it is "a noble example for all Sea Commanders to follow." He expresses concern that the British may move on Rhode Island and notes American efforts to counter them. On July 16, 1778, Preble refers to the recent battle at Monmouth and states "it appears to me the grate general Clinton cuts but a verry disposeable figure in his first seting out at the Head of the British Army." He expresses his belief that the British "are near to the end of their Tether" as they are shipping out their heavy guns from Newport and Halifax and are in the "gratest Confusion immaginable." Speaking of the loyalists, Preble writes that "there is a number of the Reffuges that declare they will return & throw themselves on the mercy of the State Live or Dye" but concludes "they should keep the side they have chose & never be allowed to set their feet on any part of America." Preble also notes the arrival of the French fleet in the Chesapeake. On 17 August 1778, Preble writes about General Sullivan's preparations for the Battle of Rhode Island. He stresses the importance of the French Fleet on which, he believes, "depends the success in a grate measure of the enterprize against Rhode Island." Noting Sullivan's concerns that he will be outnumbered, Preble optimistically states: "we have had advice from Head Quarters that our army were advance within half a mile of the Enemys Lines and that they ware in high spirits & marcht up to their lines in the gratest order & Regulation." Preble's son, Edward, would emerge as one of the United States' great naval officers. Together four items . (4)

Auction archive: Lot number 8
Auction:
Datum:
24 May 2002
Auction house:
Christie's
New York, Rockefeller Center
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