Beschreibung:

WILKINSON, JAMES, 1757-1825, General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed to S. Van Renselaer, Washington, D.C., 14 September 1808, 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf, seal hole , an important letter defending himself against the sensational charges that he was involved with Aaron Burr and his plot to seize power in the western territories: "...[A]t this moment I am again struggling against a torrent of Slander & Calamity...[Burr and his conspirators] have worried & torn & mangled my Honor without feeling or conscience...I thank high Heaven I shall be able to vindicate my name & save my Brethren in arms from Blushing for my shame...I demanded a Court of Enquiry...[S]ay from me that Clark is the author of this attack....Burr & the Mexican combination...will seek my ruin...This villian has perjured himself to destroy me...."; WILKINSON. Autograph letter signed to G.S. Smith Fort Adams, 17 March 1803, 4 pages, 4to, mat burn at extreme edges , extremely agitated letter from Louisiana a few days before Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase was publicly announced, deploring the dangers of holding the territory: "...I do not like my situation or that of the Country. We are everywhere feeble & defenceless, our works are going to ruin for want of repairs & completions and the reins of discipline are so far relaxed as to produce disorder & distraction & irresponsibility in all things military..."; WILKINSON. Autograph letter signed to General Dearborn, n.p., 24 June 1810, 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf, seal hole , forwarding information regarding the Revolutionary War, "In the first volume of Stedmans History of the American War, you will find a plan of the scene of the action at Breed's Hill..."; together 3 items . James Wilkinson is best known for his involvment with Aaron Burr and their alleged attempts to detach the western frontier from the Union. Although neither Burr nor Wilkinson were ever convicted of treason, both spent the remainder of their lives vociferously denying these allegations. (3)