December 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, December 18th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/18/2012
Fantastic Marquis de Lafayette autograph letter twice-signed from Richmond, dated 3 May 1781 to General George Weedon, less than six months from the end of the war and this Virginia Campaign leading to the Surrender at Yorktown. Lafayette theorizes about the enemy's next move and orders Weedon to prepare to defend Fredericksburg. He describes his successful effort to deter the British from Richmond, ''...they have spoke with surprise of the rapidity of our march...'' and the disposition of Good and Innis' militias. He then conveys important orders for Weedon: ''...From every circumstance I am aprehensive that having been frustrated in their tentative against Richmond, the ennemy will proceed to Frederisburg. You know that Mr. Hunter's works are the great resource of the Southern Department. I wish therefore you will remain in that part and collect a number of good riflemen...ready to be into the field when the ennemy appear at the mouth of Pottowmack, where you will have an intelligent officer and a chain of expresses to convey his letters to you. From the time I know that the ennemy appear at the mouth of Pottowmack, I can in four days be with you...'' He signs, ''Lafayette''. Franking signature, ''Lafayette M G'' also appears on the address (fourth) page. Letter measures 7.75'' x 12.75'' and runs three pages. Minor soiling and paper loss; very good condition. Published in ''Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution,'' IV:77-79.
Lafayette: ''...From the time...the ennemy appear at the mouth of Pottowmack, I can in 4 days be with you...that having been frustrated [entering] Richmond, the ennemy will [go] to Frederisburg...''
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