Description:

Revolutionary War

Rev War ALS documented by John Hancock & George Washington comprising elements of espionage, treason, & migration


One page ALS, 8" x 10.75". Expected folds, tape repairs to verso with pin points of paper loss. Lightly chipped to edges, red ink splot to upper portion of document. Signed "Wm Jones", and docketed on verso "Letter to John Warden".


A fascinating letter written by William Jones to John Warder, both Philadelphia merchants (one of which, John Warder was a Quaker) from a interesting, transitory time in history during the British occupation of Philadelphia. During the four years preceding the date of the letter, the farms were being devastated and striped of crops, livestock and fences by the American and British armies creating scarce foodstuffs, high import costs, and rampant inflation. An attractive alternative to martyrdom in Philadelphia was emigration home to England. John Warder, along with numerous other Quakers followed this course thus creating an expatriate Friend community composed of Philadelphia merchants in England.


The letter also refers to Mr. Galloway, the American politician and a disgruntled member of the First Continental Congress. Galloway's original intent was to propose a Plan of Union to avert a break from Britain but upon rejection he became a loyalist, and later effectively a spy for England. Galloway joined Howe’s army in New Jersey in late 1776. He arrived in New York City by 31 December 1776, and by 18 February 1777 he was plotting to raise a Loyalist militia in Pennsylvania, seize Congress, and destroy “the Bridge of Boats which Washington has thrown over the Schuylkill to effectuate his Retreat from Philadelphia” It was in conjunction with his efforts to aid the British that Galloway employed Molesworth “to procure Pilots for the Delaware at Philadelphia” (ibid., 206). General Howe on 1 July 1777 commissioned Galloway a colonel in the provincial forces, and on 4 Dec. 1777. From this point forward Galloway was effectively a spy, procuring intelligence, and offering consultation for British generals in addition to accepting an appointment as superintendent of police for British-occupied Philadelphia. This fascinating letter from the period refers to "the Acct I have against the British Army whilst they Lay at Philad (phia) for keeping a number of horses for them which the Acct will more fully appear to the amount of £511-13-6 Proud" and "I did apply to Joseph Galloway but he is gone to reside in the country and can not Give his attendance in London and the desire me to imploy some Attorney in London, I must Request you to see or to send to Mr, Galloway, and get the Originall acct which I have wrote to them" directly referencing Galloway's procurement of both guides, horses and magazines of forge for the British during this period of history, and now requesting that Galloway make payment for his efforts to keep the horses for the British.


Galloways spy career ends in a historical letter from John Hancock to George Washington, dated April 4, 1777, stating:


"Sir, (George Washington)

General Gates having laid before Congress the Proceedings and Sentence of a Court Martial on a certain James Molesworth who was accused and found guilty of being a Spy, they immediately approved the same. He has since suffered the Punishment due to his Crime. From his repeated Confession, it appears, that Mr Galloway was extremely active in engaging him to undertake this infamous Business, and was the Person employed to make the Bargain with him. He says indeed, Lord Howe was present: but from the Description he gave of his Person, it is supposed he must be mistaken"


Galloway's fate was sealed requiring him to flee to Britain in 1778 , never to return to the colonies, and became a leading spokesman of American Loyalists in London. In 1778 the General Assembly of Pennsylvania convicted him of high treason and confiscated his estates. The letter was written in 1782 with Galloway now residing in England.


A fascinating letter from a interesting point in US history, one shrouded in espionage, American loyalists, and the movement of wealthy American merchants immigrating back to England.


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