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Lot 1032
Lafayette, Marquis de. ALS ("Lafayette") 1p, 9 ¼" x 6 ¾", in French, La Grange (France), 8 Dec. 1817. To Vice-Admiral Sir Josiah Coghill, regarding the death of his brother (Sir John Coghill) and his claims to land in Louisiana. All references to Coghill were struck with ink at an early date. Fine; one short fold separation and one small prior mounting remnant on verso. Boldly penned and signed. Accompanied by a transcription and translation.
An important letter regarding land claims of over 11,000 acres in Louisiana which Congress awarded Lafayette in 1803 for his service in the American Revolution. At the time of this letter, Lafayette was in financial straights, having lost his personal fortune during the French Revolution. To pay off a debt he sold roughly half of that land, part of the Point Coupee tract, to Sir John Coghill. Upon Coghill's death (21 May 1817), title passed to his brother Josiah, the recipient of this letter. In addition to the land at Pointe Coupée, Coghill purchased a small tract in New Orleans from Lafayette. Subsequent to the sale, however, Lafayette's title to the valuable tract was called into question, explaining the reason for this letter.
In part: "…The unexpected loss of your worthy brother…deeply affected me….Knowing that you are heir to his happy disposition, as well as his fortune, it is with a great deal of confidence that I deal with you concerning our mutual business.
You know that in addition to the purchase of a considerable quantity of land in the Pointe Coupée district in Louisiana, there existed between Sir [John] and me an arrangement regarding a plot of land…in the neighborhood of New Orleans. He was astonished at first that I hadn't put more effort into this affair, but after involving himself in the matter he recognized that with the best of intentions one experiences great difficulties at this distance and in the circumstances in which we were; however, it might be possible to obtain a solution in the spring, since we have here Mr. [Albert] Gallatin, minister plenipotentiary of the United States, former minister of finance, and Mr. [James] Brown, former senator for the state of Orleans [sic]. I believe that we will be able to discuss it to good effect this winter. If your intention is, as is said, to come to Paris, I will have the honor of talking about it with you; should it be otherwise, when you have examined my progress with **** I will make it a duty to communicate to you the information that you might be missing and to come to a mutual understanding with you on our common interests. I will always be prompt, sir, to offer you the expression of my utmost esteem. Lafayette."
Even with the assistance of Gallatin and Brown, Lafayette's claims to the land were not resolved until the 1830s.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
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