Description:

Washington George

Rev War Washington Signature on Free Frank Envelope Addressed to Villefranche of West Point

 

Transmittal envelope, 6.25" x 3" when folded. Addressed to "Major Villefranche / Engineer / West Point" and boldly signed by George Washington along the lower left with a large, and vibrant signature "Go Washington".  Remnants of the original red wax seal and embossment present, in addition to the corresponding small hole/tear as the result of opening the envelope.

 

West Point is located on a plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River approximately sixty miles north of New York City. In 1781, George Washington called the fortified site “the most important Post in America,” and he worked to keep Patriot control of West Point throughout the Revolutionary War.

 

In the summer of 1780, Villefranche was ordered to the post. At the point in time, General Benedict Arnold was stationed there, and Washington directed Arnold that Villefranche has directions to repair West Point. Although the exact date of this envelope is not known, we know that Villefranche was stationed at West Point while Benedict Arnold was attempting to stock up West Point with provisions and then deliver the fort to the British.

 

Our research shows that Arnold wrote to George Washington regarding Villefranche, stating "Major Villefranche has surveyed the works at West Point, and informs me that there is a vast deal to do to complete them … and that large quantities of materials, such as timber, plank, boards and stone will be wanted …".   This is in keeping with Benedict Arnold's strategy that once Arnold established himself at West Point, he began systematically excessively asking for supplies, meanwhile weakening West Point's defenses and military strength. Needed repairs were never ordered on the chain across the Hudson. Troops were liberally distributed within Arnold's command area (but only minimally at West Point itself) or furnished to Washington on request. He also peppered Washington with constant complaints about the lack of supplies, writing, "Everything is wanting." At the same time, Arnold attempted to drain West Point's supplies so that a siege would be more likely to succeed. His subordinates, some long-time associates, even grumbled about Arnold's unnecessary distribution of supplies and eventually concluded that he was selling them on the black market for personal gain.

 

Over several years, there are many letters, and reports  in the handwriting of Major Villefranche found in the Washington Papers, showing the painstaking attention to detail which characterize his work. Finely drawn maps of the region by him also remain, testifying to his skill and knowledge of technique. Furthermore numerous correspondence were published between Washington and Villefranche on securing and preparing West Point from 1780 through 1783. Exactly which letter from Washington was carried in this particular envelope makes one reflect on the period, and conjure up visions of West Point during the era of Benedict Arnold and the real threat of nearly being delivered to the British. And one can even speculate that perhaps Villefranche was more than just an 'engineer', and perhaps just maybe he was also a member of the Culper spy ring!

 

 

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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