|
Sale 86
Lot 65
Adams, John. Partial autograph letter signed ("John Adams"), 1½ pages, 8¾ x 7 in., [Passy, July 17, 1778]. To [Edmé Jacques] Genet, contradicting information which had been published in a French journal: "[In yo]ur forty Eighth Number of Affairs de L'Angleterre et de L'Ameri[que] I find, in Page sixth, marked number I. Resolutions des sauvages contre l'armee Angloise, and in Page 7 marked No. III. Adresse des Principaux Habitans de cette Ville a Robert Rogers, Major General (nomme par le Congres) et Commandant en chef des savages. Both these Papers, you may rely upon it, are Forgeries, and that no such Resolution or Address ever existed. It ought to be contradicted for many Reasons, but especially because if uncontradicted these Papers will be considered by Historians as Proof, that the Americans, first engaged the savages to take an active Part in the War, and will give a Colour to the Argument of the British Administration, that the Indians must be engaged on their side to prevent them from engaging on the other, whereas nothing is further from the Truth. All the Treaties with the Savages made by Congress, or by Commissioners under their Authority, were that they should be neutral. So far from soliciting their Alliance, the Congress, more than once refused the services of Indians. The Honour of employing Indians is wholly British. This Robert Rogers, instead of being addressed by the principal Inhabitants of Philadelphia, was made Prisoner by the Council of safety, the first day of his Landing in that City, and enlarged upon his Parol, in Violation of which he afterwards made his Escape to New York, and had there a Commission given him [by Gener]al Howe….from that Body, he never had any…a Single Voice in his favour. Nor had he ever any Conferrence, or Concert with Indians, since this War began, as is asserted in Page 8 Number 4. The whole of this is an Imposition on the World, and you may assert it to be so boldly, for there are Witnesses enough, who can prove it to be so, among whom one, is your humble sert, John Adams."
Published in Papers of John Adams, Volume VI. Paper added at top of letter where fire damage affects a few words of text; letter was silked for preservation. Boldly penned and signed. Edmé-Jacques Genet (1726-1781) served as the secretary and interpreter for the Count of Provence (the future Louis XVIII), and was the father of Edmond-Charles Genet, better known as Citizen Genet, the first French ambassador to the United States. Robert Rogers (1731-1795), was the American frontiersman who raised and commanded the famous Rogers' Rangers, and who served in the British army during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. He was instrumental in the capture of American spy, Nathan Hale.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
|
| |
| Realized $6,000 |
|
