Description:

Francis Lewis French & Indian War ADS 2x "Flag of Truce During the Present War"

A most intriguing document from Francis Lewis, signer of the Declaration of Independence, dating from the French and Indian War and hinting at espionage and arms smuggling by a traitor to England. 1p (front and back), measuring 13" x 8", New York, dated December 23, 1760.  With flattened folds and some minor edge chipping. Faint toning and soiling throughout. Boldly signed, overall very good. Ex. Catherine Barnes.

Signed "Francis Lewis", the document is a sworn deposition in which Lewis describes his relations with one George Spencer, whose activities appear quite suspect in the midst of the war between England and France. Lewis attests that he secured Spencer's release from jail in London in 1757 and that the two men then sailed for New York. During that voyage, Spencer told Lewis "that when he was in France he had exhibited to the French Minister a Plan of the Harbour of New York, with the number of its Inhabitants and Strength of the Place, when the Minister promised him that if in consequence of his information the French should succeed in the reduction of New York he the said Spencer should be appointed Governor thereof and receive a Salary...of...Twenty Thousand Livers per Annum. Lewis further explains. "that he knows of no...provisions, put on board the sloop Rachel...that saild with a Flag of Truce during the present War" other than foodstuffs "for the Victualing Twelve prisoners and Fourteen Seamen during the Voyage to Hispaniola; And that he knows not of any Arms, Ammunition, Warlike Stores, or Naval Stores, being put on board the said Sloop...to the said George Spencer, or any other Person."

Francis Lewis had first come to America from England in 1738 and eventually settled in New York, where he became a very successful merchant. During the French and Indian War, he was captured at Fort Oswego, where he was the clothing contractor for British troops, but he was later exchanged. During the American Revolution, Lewis provided important service on the Committee of Commerce and the Marine Committee for the Continental Congress. Due to his involvement with the revolutionaries, the British imprisoned his wife for a time and destroyed his Long Island home.

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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