Lot 146
Wayne, Anthony -- Urgent 1781 ALS Asking for Supplies For the March to Virginia, Referencing Yorktown, Marquis Lafayette, and "our southern affairs" (1745-1796) American general, known as "Mad Anthony" who served in the Invasion of Quebec, the Philadelphia campaign and the Yorktown campaign during the American Revolution. President George Washington recalled Wayne from civilian life in order to lead an expedition in the Northwest Indian War. His forces defeated several Indian tribes at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, and the subsequent Treaty of Greenville ended the war.
Autograph letter signed "Anty Wayne" twice, 4 pages, 8 x 6 ½", Lancaster, May 11, 1781. To Joseph Reed (1741-85) who was President of the Supreme Executive of Pennsylvania, enclosing "an application to Mr. Henry for necessaries [not present] wanted for Colo Moylans Dragoons…your Excellency & the Honorable Council will see the Impracticability of his accomplishing this essential business without your Concurrance in the application of some part of the public money of this State now in his hands…Cattle are wanted, & may be procured to serve the Detatchment until we arrive in Virginia….I wish if possible to receive about sixty head by next Monday or Tuesday, at which period the fifth Regiment will reach Yorktown….I will endeavour to have everything in perfect readiness to take up our line of March from the General rendezvous Immediately after their Arrival."
On page 4 he adds a long postscript signed "Anty. Wayne": "Before this was Dispatched, I recd. Letters from the board of War, the Govr. Of Virginia, & the Marquis Lafayette of the most alarming nature, & pressing for the advance of the troops under my Command with all possible expedition." He will "call upon the Purchasing Commissary for some cattle in full confidence that council will adopt the measure & make due allowances for a conduct only warranted by necessity & the critical situation of our southern affairs." Written on laid, watermarked paper with a few corrections in Wayne's hand; reinforcement at seam of bifolium, lightly touching a couple of letters in the postscript text, and ink burn on one crossed-out word. Stained at bottom edge of first leaf. Boldly penned and signed twice. An important Revolutionary War-date letter.
________________________. Estimate Value $4,000 - UP
Swann, Apr 17, 2012, lot 134.
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