AMERICANA

GEORGE WASHINGTON   —  AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONERY ARMY DECLARES:

“I HAVE TURNED MY THOUGHTS … TOWARDS CARRYING ON AN EXPEDITION AGAINST THE INDIANS OF THE SIX NATIONS ….”

“THE KIND OF WAR NECESSARY TO BE CARRIED ON AGAINST THE SAVAGES FOR THE MORE EFFECTUAL SECURITY OF OUR FRONTIER”.

WASHINGTON, GEORGE.  (1732-1799).  First President of the United States (1789-1797).  Exceptional War-dated, Manuscript Letter Signed, “G. Washington”, as Commander of the Continental forces. “Headquarters, Middle Brook, March 2, 1779.”  Two full legal folio pages, [in the hand of Tench Tilghman].   To Brigadier General Porter. 

EXCEEDINGLY RARE AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT SIGNED BY DR. JOSEPH WARREN WHO WAS KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL IN 1775  —  ADDITIONALLY SIGNED BY HIS BROTHER,  DR. JOHN WARREN

SENDING HIS BILL FOR MEDICINES AND HIS ATTENDANCE IN THE MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS FROM MAY 1772 TO JANUARY 1773

An exceedingly-rare Autograph Document Signed, “Joseph Warren Dr” in the third person, in the body of the document.  One page, oblong octavo. Lightly silked for preservation, else very fine condition. No place, [Boston], January 1773.  Additionally docketed on the verso by his brother JOHN WARREN.  (1753-1815)

JOHN HANCOCK  —  A 1765 LOTTERY TICKET FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF FANEUIL HALL

ISSUED TO EDWARD PROCTOR, WHO LEAD A GROUP OF MEN ON THE NIGHT OF THE ‘BOSTON TEA PARTY’ TO DUMP INTO THE SEA THE TEA CHESTS SECURED ABOARD THE ‘DARTMOUTH’ WHILE SHE LAY MOORED AT GRIFFIN’S WARF IN BOSTON HARBOR.   BOLDLY SIGNED BY PROCTOR ON THE VERSO AND STRONGLY SIGNED BY HANCOCK ON THE RECTO —   A SIMPLY SUPERB, AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE, COMBINATION OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT SIGNATURES

HANCOCK, JOHN (1737-1793)   President of the Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation; Governor of Massachusetts; first Signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Scarce Partly-printed “Faneuil-Hall LOTTERY, No. Five” ticket, boldly signed “John Hancock”, at the lower center right.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS   —  POSSIBLY UNIQUE SIGNED CARTE-DE-VISITE PHOTOGRAPH  —   TAKEN BY ABOLITIONIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER  —  JOHN HURN, WHO HELPED DOUGLASS ESCAPE TO CANADA, AFTER JOHN BROWN’S ARREST AT HARPER’S FERRY

DOUGLASS, FREDERICK.  (1817-1895).  The most prominent African American abolitionist, orator, journalist and antislavery leader of the 19th century.  Superb, and unquestionably extremely-rare Signed Carte-de-visite Photograph.  Douglass is depicted in a 4/5 full face, bust pose.

SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE — SAMUEL ADAMS — AS GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS

ADAMS, SAMUEL. (1722-1803). American patriot and Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Partially-Printed Document Signed, ”Samuel Adams”, as Governor of Massachusetts. One page, oblong folio. Boston. September 8, 1796. Countersigned by John Avery, as secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

FILLMORE — AS PRESIDENT — AUTHORIZES THE AFFIXING OF THE SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE REMISSION OF A FORFEITURE FOR THE SHIP ‘ST. GEORGE’ — WHICH, JUST 2 WEEKS LATER, WAS LOST AT SEA, IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC, WITH A HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE!

FILLMORE, MILLARD. (1800-74). Thirteenth President of the United States (1850-3). Most unusual, Partly-Printed Document Signed, ”Millard Fillmore”, as President. One page, quarto. Washington, D.C., December 11, 1852. Very fine condition. The document reads: I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to the remission of the forfeiture granted to the Ship St. George

LINCOLN APPOINTS: WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE RENSHAW — A COMMANDER IN THE NAVY — AN IMPORTANT CIVIL WAR NAVAL COMISSION

LINCOLN, ABRAHAM. (1809-1865). Sixteenth President of the United States (1861-1865). Superb and important partly engraved Document Signed, ”Abraham Lincoln”, as President. One page, tall folio, vellum. Washington, August 5, 1861. Countersigned by GIDEON WELLS, Secretary of the Navy. President Lincoln appoints WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE RENSHAW a Commander in the United States Navy.