Description:

Arnold Benedict

Gen. Benedict Arnold Ordered Ebenezer Foote to "make every possible Exertion to hurry on the Cattle designed for this Post [West Point]"



Autograph Letter Signed "Hendk Wyckoff," 1 page, 6.5" x 8". Fredericksburgh [New York], November 10, 1780. To Mr. [Ebenezer] Foot. On laid paper. Docketed on verso: "Novbr 10th 1780 / Hendrick Wyckoff State / Agent / To / Ebenezer Foote - Letter." Fine condition.



In part, "Have sent pr Bearer Capt Calkin 19 Beef Cattle from this place together with the Estimation of the Weight &c. Agreeable to form which Cattle would be pleased to receive and Credit me for the same. I have also purchasd 4 or 5 Cattle between this and Fishkill, which I suppose will be annexed to the drove after they leave this. Capt.Calkins will get them estimated at Fishkill … I expect to send you another small drove from this Quarter on Thursday next…"



It is probable that the recipient of Wyckoff's letter, Ebenezer Foote, inspector of cattle in the Continental Army’s Commissary Department, had notified Wyckoff of an immediate need for cattle after he received an order from General Benedict Arnold dated September 4, 1780. Writing from his headquarters at Robinson's House opposite West Point, Arnold ordered Foote to "make every possible Exertion to hurry on the Cattle designed for this Post, as well as those designed for the Main Army. I have reason to believe the Garrison here will soon be greatly augmented the Demand for Cattle will of Course be greater, & if we are not better supplied in future than we have been for some Time past, in Case these Posts are invested, they will be lost as well as the Garrison, for Want of Provisions…" Of course, unbeknownst to Foote, the cattle would be for British soldiers, not the Continental Army. On September 21, 1780, Arnold met with British spy Major John Andre to confirm the sale West Point and to deliver the plans for the fortifications.



Earlier in the Revolutionary War, New York Governor Clinton had appointed Major Hendrick Wyckoff as a financial agent for obtaining specie loans from the people for the support of the cause of freedom. He was furnished with notes in blank by the Governor, and he filled them up with the names of the lenders and the sums loaned, as the money was paid into his hands. Towards the end of the war, as Assistant State Agent, Wyckoff was authorized to purchase "provisions & grain."



WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to [bp]% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions