December 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, December 18th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/18/2012
Long autograph letter signed by Richard Henry Lee, as Chair of the Marine Committee of Continental Congress, to Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia concerning Governor Henry's interest in the exchange of naval prisoners. Retained draft is datelined Philadelphia, 3 March 1779. Lee explains how the congressional committee distinguishes between state and Continental prisoners, and how the British negotiate for each, adding that ''no cartel has ever been, or could be settled with the enemy for American prisoners in G.B., they being unwilling there to recognize us in such a light...and therefore these exchanges have been confined to prisoners in America only.'' Given the enormous number of American prisoners of war who were dying in British prison ships, exchanges were a matter of great urgency, but were only rarely completed. Large single page letter measures 8'' x 12.75''. Moderate dampstaining, paper repairs to separations at folds, verso reinforcement on bottom right of letter, two small ink burn holes, and numerous cross-outs and emendations. Very good condition. Published in Letters of Delegates to Congress, 12:142-3. Provenance: Freeman's sale, 16 April 1928, lot 167.
Richard Henry Lee Long 1779 Revolutionary War Dated Autograph Letter Signed to Patrick Henry -- Detailing How the British Were Unwilling to Exchange Prisoners of War With the Americans
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