LAFAYETTE, GILBERT DU MOTIER, MARQUIS DE. Autograph letter signed ("Lafayette") TO GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, "On Board the Alliance , off Boston," 9 January 1779. 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf [ with ] Autograph free frank ("Lafayette") on integral cover sheet boldly addressed in Lafayette's hand to "The honorable Major General St. Clair at headquarters," no postmark (probably carried by military courier), recipient's docket, partial red wax seal, small seal hole, the two leaves partially separated along central fold, otherwise in very good condition. LAFAYETTE TO THE ST. CLAIR, WHO ABANDONED FORT TICONDEROGA TO THE BRITISH A fine wartime letter from the young Marquis, who is preparing to embark for France (he sailed two days later): "I have received the letter you have honord. me with and most heartily thank you for it, and for the sending of the proceedings of your Court Martial. I hope I need not tell you how much I rejoiced not that you were, but that at length your conduct was examined. My own sentiments di[d]n't want this information for admiring your behaviour[?] and your talents, but I sincerely give joy to your Country, that notwithstanding all Cabals, due justice is at last pay'd to such a citizen and soldier as you are. Your justification will be duly known in France as soon as I arrive there...." In a postscript, Lafayette adds: "I wish you could come to see me in France, and receiving you there would be a true happiness for me." Arthur St. Clair (1737-1818) had fought at Trenton and Princeton, then was given command of the Northern Department. In June 1777 a superior force under John Burgoyne, moving south from Canada, forced St. Clair to abandon fort Ticonderoga to the British. St. Clair was widely blamed for this significant tactical defeat although a military court which looked into his actions exonerated him of blame, but suspicions of disloyalty persisted, and he was given no further military assignments of importance. Lafayette, who had arrived in America in June 1777, had demonstrated his mettle as an officer, been slighty wounded at Brandywine and wintered with Washington at Valley Forge. Congress had granted him permission to return to France, where upon his arrival in February he was accorded a hero's welcome. At court, he forcefully espoused the American cause and urged active French support. In April 1780 he returned to America in time to participate in the Yorktown campaign.
LAFAYETTE, GILBERT DU MOTIER, MARQUIS DE. Autograph letter signed ("Lafayette") TO GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, "On Board the Alliance , off Boston," 9 January 1779. 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf [ with ] Autograph free frank ("Lafayette") on integral cover sheet boldly addressed in Lafayette's hand to "The honorable Major General St. Clair at headquarters," no postmark (probably carried by military courier), recipient's docket, partial red wax seal, small seal hole, the two leaves partially separated along central fold, otherwise in very good condition. LAFAYETTE TO THE ST. CLAIR, WHO ABANDONED FORT TICONDEROGA TO THE BRITISH A fine wartime letter from the young Marquis, who is preparing to embark for France (he sailed two days later): "I have received the letter you have honord. me with and most heartily thank you for it, and for the sending of the proceedings of your Court Martial. I hope I need not tell you how much I rejoiced not that you were, but that at length your conduct was examined. My own sentiments di[d]n't want this information for admiring your behaviour[?] and your talents, but I sincerely give joy to your Country, that notwithstanding all Cabals, due justice is at last pay'd to such a citizen and soldier as you are. Your justification will be duly known in France as soon as I arrive there...." In a postscript, Lafayette adds: "I wish you could come to see me in France, and receiving you there would be a true happiness for me." Arthur St. Clair (1737-1818) had fought at Trenton and Princeton, then was given command of the Northern Department. In June 1777 a superior force under John Burgoyne, moving south from Canada, forced St. Clair to abandon fort Ticonderoga to the British. St. Clair was widely blamed for this significant tactical defeat although a military court which looked into his actions exonerated him of blame, but suspicions of disloyalty persisted, and he was given no further military assignments of importance. Lafayette, who had arrived in America in June 1777, had demonstrated his mettle as an officer, been slighty wounded at Brandywine and wintered with Washington at Valley Forge. Congress had granted him permission to return to France, where upon his arrival in February he was accorded a hero's welcome. At court, he forcefully espoused the American cause and urged active French support. In April 1780 he returned to America in time to participate in the Yorktown campaign.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
