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Sell or Auction Your Nathanael Greene Autograph Letter Signed for up to Nearly $11,500 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions

FREE ESTIMATE. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Nathanael Greene autograph that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

Nathanael Greene Autograph

We at NateDSanders.com would like to release a statement that we sold three rare and important Revolutionary War legend Nathanael Greene autograph letter signed items. Please see the descriptions and the prices below:

General Nathanael Greene Revolutionary War Autograph Letter Signed Regarding Failed British Leadership — “Was there ever a nation who barter’d away her territory in such a foolish maner?”

Nathanael Greene autograph letter signed, “Nath Greene” from West Point as the Quartermaster General during the American Revolutionary War. Washington’s top general writes to General George Weedon in Virgina from West Point in New York on 6 September 1779. He speculates that Great Britain will “…sue for the mediation of America, to bring about a peace. Was there ever a nation who barter’d away her territory in such a foolish maner…Her pride and glory are droping like false blossoms in the spring…America will in the hand of heaven prove a scourge to Great Britain, to punnish her for her injustice, pride and cruelty…” As commander at West Point, he surmises British forces are “…too small to enable General Clinton to drive us over the Allagany Mountains…” A year later, Washington made Greene second in command of the Continental Army. General Weedon resigned from the American military the year before this letter was written but remained active politically and successfully led a militia brigade in Virginia. He also discusses the great importance of Light-Horse Harry Lee’s recent victory at Paulus Hook. Published in “Papers of General Nathanael Greene, IV:364.” Four page letter measures 7″ x 11.75″. Separation to folds and small holes at intersections. Very good condition. Sold for $11,500.

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Nathanael Greene 1781 Autograph Letter Signed to James Calhoun, the First Mayor of Baltimore — With Excellent Content: “…enjoy your wealth at the expense of [soldiers’] blood…”

Nathanael Greene war-dated autograph letter signed “Nath Greene” with exceptional, first-rate content on the Revolutionary War. Datelined from Headquarters, South Carolina, 14 November 1781, Greene chastises James Calhoun (the first mayor of Baltimore) for engaging in “the pursuit of wealth” rather than fighting in the War. In large part, “Dear Sir, This will be handed to you by Col. Howard, as good an officer as the world affords…He has been wounded but is happily recovered, and now comes home to pay a little attention to his own private affairs, and to the charge of the fifth Maryland Regiment running in your state. I have never had the honor of a line from you since I have been in this department. Having separated yourself from any military connections, you are so eager in the pursuit of wealth as not to write a line of remembrance to your former friends for want of time for I will not suppose is to proceed from a want of friendship. Go on and buy house to house and field to field and pursue [illegible] with all the avidity of a rich man; but don’t forget the poor soldiers because they are the [illegible] part of community. You will enjoy your wealth at the expense of their blood, for what is property without liberty. You have never felt the ravaging hand of war nor the insolence of British tyranny, and god grant you never may. But until then you cannot speak and reason justly. This country has groaned under oppression and cruelties of every kind, and such as would [illegible] even from savages. I congratulate you upon our great good fortune in Virginia. But I think the enemy made a poor defence. This event is no less important to the public than it is glorious to General Washington. Your address to him through Baltimore was excellent, his answer delightful. Nature in her gifts is commonly too sparing to be great and good at the same time, but those qualities are happily combined in him. I beg my swift respectful compliments to Mrs. Calhoun and all my friends and acquaintances in Baltimore…Nath Greene”. Letter runs 3pp. on two sheets of card-style stationery measuring 12.5″ x 7.25″. Reinforced with a tissue lining and small areas of paper loss, else near fine.  Sold previously for $6875 at Doyle Auctions in 2014. Sold for $11,550.

Nathanael Greene autograph

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Scarce Execution Order Signed by Nathanael Greene During the Revolutionary War — Greene Orders One of His Men Shot for Desertion

Scarce execution order, perhaps the only one extant, signed by Major General Nathanael Greene in the final year of the Revolutionary War. Datelined Charleston, South Carolina on 23 February 1783, Greene here orders one of his men shot for desertion, just months before the War would end in April. Although Greene captured the city of Charleston in December 1782, thereby controlling the mid-Atlantic seaboard, provisions from the government were infrequent, and Greene used his own funds to feed and clothe his troops. It appears, however, that he had to resort to more punitive measures such as this execution to keep order. Two page document has large, bold signature, “Nath Greene”, reading in part,

“…Whereas at a General Court martial held by Order of Brigadier Genl. Gist in Camp at James Island…the following soldier was tried — Thomas Nicholson of the first Pennsylvania Regiment for Desertion — And was Sentenced to suffer Death (two thirds of the Court agreeing thereto). Which said Trial and Sentence was approved by me…These are therefore to Charge and command you Lt. Jacob Whitzel [sic]— to have the said sentence put in execution between the Hours of Ten and twelve oClock this Morning, by having the said Thomas Nicholson Shot to Death… ” Below Greene’s signature, Lt. Jacob Weitzel endorses the document to confirm the execution was carried out: “I Do certify that according to the within Warrant to me Directed Thos. Nicholson was Shot between the hours within mentioned. Ja’b Weitzel Lt. Comman’g the Guard”.

Two page document measures approximately 15″ x 12″, framed to a size of 18.75″ x 16″. Small holes along fold lines. Not examined out of frame, but appears in very good to near fine condition with bold handwriting. Sold for $3,700.

Nathanael Greene Autograph Letter Signed Rev War

Major General Nathanael Greene autograph letter signed, with interesting content regarding the rigamarole of settling his debt incurred during the Revolutionary War. Credited with being the most able General of the War next to George Washington, Greene was given land in various southern states including North Carolina as a result of his service in the war. He had a difficult time, however, getting reimbursed for expenses he personally incurred during the war, such as providing clothing and provisions to his soldiers, so much so that his heirs were still dealing with the debt after he passed away. In this letter to Providence, Rhode Island merchant Welcome Arnold, Greene tries to shuffle monies between various individuals in order to settle his Revolutionary War debt. Dated 5 December 1783 from Newport, Rhode Island, Greene writes on his custom stationery bearing a watermark of his coat of arms. Letter reads in full,

“Dear Sir / Brother Jacob tells me your have in your possession a sett of bills which I draw on him in favor of Mr. Stanley of North Carolina and that you wish to have bills on some body in Philadelphia. It will be agreeable to me to give a draft on Col [John] Cox [Deputy Quartermaster General of the Continental Army] of Trenton for the payment. It was my intention to have negotiated them in another way and have written to Mr. Stanly on the subject. Nor did I know of his having posted north the bills until my arrival here. I owed Mr. Stanly a much larger sum payable at the same time all of which I have paid many months before it became due which authorised me to claim longer payment on those bills. But if they are out of his hands I will take measures to have them paid and settle the matter with Stanley upon a table of interest.

I return you many thanks for your kindness to Mrs. Greene and beg my affectionate compliments to your good Lady. / I am dear Sir / with esteem & affection / your most obedt & / humble Serv- / Nath Greene”. Three page letter on Greene’s bifolium stationery measures approximately 7.625″ x 12.25″. With red wax seal on integral address leaf. Folds, light chipping, and small holes at intersecting folds. Overall very good condition given age with bold handwriting. Sold for $3,200.

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FREE APPRAISAL. To buy, auction, sell or consign your  Nathanael Greene autograph that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

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