Lot 659
[John André] Early 19th Century Copy of André's Request to Washington "not to die on the gibbet" (1750-1780) British officer hanged as a spy for assisting Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of West Point to the British. Copy of a letter written on October 1, 1780 by British General John André to General George Washington, asking to be shot rather than hanged. In part: "Buoyed above the terror of death by the consciousness of a life directed to honourable pursuits & attained with no action that can give me remorse, I trust the request I make to your Excellency at this serious period & which is to soften my last moments will not be rejected…" His wish was not granted and on Oct. 2, 1780, he was hanged, by the rules of war, as a spy at Tappan, New York on October 2, 1780. Letter is written on pale blue, lined, watermarked paper; paper loss to left side of title line, else fine.
The original letter is at the Library of Congress in the George Washington Papers.
Estimated Value $300 - 500.
|
| |
| Realized $168 |
