Description:

Esek Hopkins
Rhode Island, February 17, 1781
Esek Hopkins Signed Re: Maj. Gen. Heath "Party of Indians of the Oneida Tribe" Trading Guns & Swords. Fantastic!
AES

ESEK HOPKINS, Autograph Endorsement Signed, February 17, 1781, on Copy of Resolution to Pay Christopher Ellery, October 1780, Rhode Island. 2 pp., 6" x 7.5". Water stains and toning.

Revolutionary War naval hero Esek Hopkins audited this payment to Christopher Ellery, who had advanced $800 (£240) to James Dean, at the request of Major General William Heath. In August 1780, Dean escorted Oneida representatives to see French General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, French Admiral Charles-Henri-Louis d'Arsac, chevalier de Ternay, and their forces at Newport. The French and the Oneida exchanged gifts of medals, muskets, blankets, and swords, and the Oneida delegation reportedly left "highly pleased." Their support was important to the American cause.

At their session in October 1780, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a resolution to reimburse Ellery for his payment to Dean. Ellery had been elected as one of four deputies to represent Newport in the House of Deputies, but he was elected from the House of Deputies as one of four Assistants to Governor William Greene.

Complete Transcript
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations / In General Assembly, October Session 1780.
Whereas it appears to this General Assembly that Christopher Ellery Esqr, hath advanced at the request of Major Genl. Heath Eight Hundred Continental Dollars to Mr. James Dean who lately conducted a Party of Indians of the Oneida Tribe on a visit to the French General and Admiral at Newport, and hath received an Order on Philip Schuyler Esq, who is empowered and directed to defray the Expences of said to the Amount of said Sum advanc'd as aforesaid: Wherefore
Resolv'd that the said Christopher Ellery Esqr; be empowered to receive the said Sum of Eight Hundred Dollars out of the General Treasury on his indorsing said Order over to the Genl. Treasurer of this State.
a true Copy,
Witness, William Mumford D Secry.

[Endorsement on verso:] Octr 28th 1780 / Recd the Contents by an Order on General Schuyler for the same Sum / Chrstr Ellery

[Hopkins endorsement on verso:] aud: Feb: 17 1781 / E Hopkins

Esek Hopkins (1718-1802) was born in the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations into a prominent family. He went to sea at age twenty and became an accomplished sailor and trader. He commanded a privateer during the French and Indian War and served as a deputy in the Rhode Island General Assembly. His brother Stephen Hopkins served as colonial governor for nine years in four terms between 1755 and 1768 and signed the Declaration of Independence. In October 1775, Esek Hopkins received an appointment as brigadier general to command all Rhode Island military forces. In December 1775, the Continental Congress appointed him the only Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy. His duty was to protect American commerce. In March 1776, he raided Providence (Nassau) in the Bahamas and captured munitions and three ships from the British. As the war began, Hopkins found it difficult to compete with privateers for sailors, and the Continental Congress censured Hopkins in August 1776. His fleet remained blockaded in Narragansett Bay by a superior British fleet until Congress relieved him of command in January 1778. Hopkins served in the Rhode Island General Assembly through 1786, then retired to his farm.

Christopher Ellery (1736-1789) was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and became one of the wealthiest merchants of Newport and Bristol. He was a Deputy in the Colonial Assembly, Assistant of the Colony, and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. His brother William Ellery (1727-1820) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation for Rhode Island.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6" x 7.5"
  • Medium: AES

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