Description:

Revolutionary War

Rev War Superb ALS: Washington, Arthur Lee, John Adams, John Sullivan, and Much More!

 

An incredibly detailed, lengthy, and unpublished letter referencing multiple significant Revolutionary War personages and events, written at the height of the American Revolution!

 

4pp ALS inscribed overall and signed by Connecticut politician Jesse Root as "Jesse Root" on fourth page. The cream watermarked bifold paper is in very good condition, with overall light toning and expected paper folds. Isolated areas of light ink, but all the text is legible. A few professional repairs scattered throughout, including some reinforced edges and minor in-filling. Each page measures 7.375" x 11.625." Item originally sold by Charles Hamilton in 1973.

 

Jesse Root (1726-1822) was a Connecticut delegate to the Continental Congress, a state militia officer, and a liaison of General George Washington. He drafted this letter to Connecticut Governor John Trumbull (1710-1785) from Philadelphia on August 23-24, 1779.

 

Root's report was chock full of domestic subjects and foreign news, or, as the letter docket summed it up, "European intelligence." Root's letter underscored the truly international scope of the American Revolution as it played out in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Americans were eager to secure aid, popular support, and legitimacy in Europe while they also hoped to weaken Great Britain's position there. Updates from abroad were thus very important.

 

Great Britain had attempted to broker a separate peace with France through the mediation of Spain: "The Court of Great Britain, sundry times in the course of last winter in an indirect manner signified to the Court of France a desire for peace…" France rebuffed these overtures from Britain, whose prestige was at an all-time low. "…The Court of Britain is Viewed by the powers of Europe in an unfavorable light on account of her haughtiness and pride which all are willing to be humbled…it is confidently believed that Great Britain will be unable to obtain any foreign aid to assist in the war more than she has already got…" If Britain's status was at a nadir, then the Americans and their French allies were ascendant: Root exulted that Louis XVI was widely respected for "his Wisdom Moderation + Justice" and that "…by all the advices from Europe things there wear a rosy favorable aspect towards America." John Adams and Arthur Lee viewed the new French Minister Plenipotentiary "with the highest Esteem + Respect."; Franco-American relations were excellent.

 

Root's source, American diplomat Arthur Lee, did warn that Great Britain would probably garner military support from Germany: "it appears to be his [Arthur Lee's opinion that the hostile disposition of Great Britain is not abated towards America…that they would endeavor to prevail on Prince Henry of Brunswick to take the Command in American in whom both the British + German Troops will be united." Yet despite these anxieties, Root declared: "And I firmly believe as I ever have done that in spite of the utmost exertion of our Enemies…a kind Providence will lead America, as by the hand, through this wilderness of darkness and danger and cause her one day in triumph to possess + enjoy peace, freedom, Independence and glory…"

 

On the domestic front, Root reported that General George Washington recently reviewed fortifications at West Point: "…I waited on Genl Washington as I came down, spent a day with him. The fort and Earthworks at West Point go on with great industry + dispatch, they will soon be got in a defensible Condition and the General be at liberty to act offensively with his principle force in other parts as opportunities may offer…if there is any powder to be Spared from Connecticut for the Army it would be well for the Genl to know it."

 

The Continental Congress enjoined states to "fill their battalions + to hold their militia in readiness for immediate action, in order to be prepared for the enemy at all points…" It also encouraged states to pay their fighting forces, continue to collect supplies and arms, and persist in upholding the embargo.

 

In terms of military action, Root reported that "General Sullivan has burnt the Indian Town Shemung…" He also congratulated Governor Trumbull "on the brilliant success of our arms at Powles Hook in the night following the 17th when Major Lee with four hundred men Surprised the garrison with fixed bayonets + without firing…"

 

This extremely important letter not only mentions European affairs, but also pivotal moments, people, and places of the Revolutionary War. West Point, mentioned at the beginning of Root's report, became the most strategic vantage point on the Hudson River and inspired Benedict Arnold's treason one year later. German forces did indeed sail to America, joining British forces in their attack of Savannah, Georgia. General John Sullivan (1740-1795), then relegated to Indian duty, burned down the Iroquois town in Chemung County, New York during the summer of 1779. Major Henry Lee (1756-1818) fought a successful engagement at Paulus Hook, New Jersey on August 19, 1779.

 

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