Lot 51
1777 Sailor's Letter. Autograph Letter written by Henry Headthesea, on board the sloop Providence, March 31, 1777, 1 page quarto. Extremely historical content regarding a court martial and the writer's disgust at the way the war is being conducted. In part: "…when Mr. Lathrop and I got down on the beach this morning opposite the ship Providence we were seen by Captn. Hopkins and several other Members of the court Martial….seeing the holy band of Inquisitors were begining to Muster, he [Mr. Lathrop] thought it proper to go aboard the Warrren….I hailed [Mr. Carver] & asked him the cause of their sudden Departure. he told he that 'C….n W….e' was not Well! I am inclined to think that a few hours sleep will go a great way towards his recovery and make him as fit for the important station he is in as ever he was….Mr. Sellers was carried on board the Warren and from their sudden Flight I am in hopes that Confusion has begun to take place among them. Captn. Pitcher my Commander has sent me strict orders not to Leave the Vessel so that at present you may consider me as a prisoner. All subsists by Elemental strife. Will not a Curse Light on the Man that gets his riches by his countrys ruin…." Numerous tape repairs on verso; small areas of paper loss at edges and one in the text, affecting one word; some general toning and soiling. Revolutionary War sailors' letters are of the greatest rarity because it was chiefly a land war, few sailors could read or write, and such letters as were written usually failed to reach their destination.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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| Realized $575 |
