Description:

Richard Henry Lee Requests Provisions for French Fleet, Signed 3x 1778

A lengthy order list of provisions for the French fleet signed three times by Founding Father Richard Henry Lee. 2pp (front and back), measuring 7.75" x 12.5", Shrewsbury, New Jersey, dated July 12, 1778. Signed twice in full "Richard Henry Lee C:MC" and once as "RH Lee." Lee provides a detailed list of supplies needed to be collected "without delay" to provide to the French Squadron led by the French Admiral, Charles Henri Hector d'Estaing. The document has flattened folds, with areas of separation (repaired with archival tape) and holes that affect some of the text. Edge chipping as well. Light toning, soiling, and foxing throughout. Boldly signed multiple times by Lee. Overall very good. With a PSA LOA.

In full:
"List of provisions immediately wanted for the French Squadron which without delay are to be collected near Shrewsbury & the High Lands of Neversink that they may be put on board the Fleet from either of the above places that shall be found most convenient upon the consultation with the Count D'Estaing the French Admiral. For which purpose a proper person much be immediately dispatched to Shrewsbury or the Hook or any other part near New York or the Jersey Shore with directions to get on board the French Fleet & know from the Admiral to what place he would have the provisions sent if no vessel can be procured for getting on board the Fleet a signal being made by hoisting a white flagg. 50 fat Bullocks, 700 Sheep, 1800 Poultry, 12 Calves, 12 hogs, 200 Pidgeon, Geese as many as can be got, Eggs, Hay & Corn for the Stock. Richard Henry Lee C:MC
The commissary will direct receipts to be taken from the officer to whom these provisions are delivered for the use of the Fleet. RH Lee
The Count D'Estaing must be supplied by the Commissary with whatever the Admiral shall give orders for - always taking receipts from the officer to whom the provisions are delivered for the French Fleet - July 12th 1778 - Richard Henry Lee CMC
(verso) For the Admiral 2 fat Bullocks, 12 fat [illegible], 6 good sheep, 4 day fowler, vegetables of various kinds, 2 fat veals, Extract &c. His Excellency the Admiral desires that on the arrival of the Pilots at the Hook, where they will [illegible] his Fleet that they would make a signal with a white flag either on board their Boat if they have one, or from the shore formed into a Triangle."

Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was an American statesman and Founding Father from Virginia, best known for the 1776 Lee Resolution, which called for the colonies' independence from Great Britain. Lee signed the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Association, and the Articles of Confederation, and also served a one-year term as the president of the Continental Congress. His brother was Francis Lightfoot Lee, another signer of the Articles of Confederation and the Declaration of Independence.

Jean Baptiste Charles Henri Hector, comte d'Estaing (1729-1794) was a French general and admiral. Following France's entry into the American Revolution in 1778, d'Estaing led the French fleet to aid the American rebels. He participated in a failed Franco-American siege of Newport, Rhode Island, in 1778, and the equally unsuccessful 1779 Siege of Savannah. Unfortunately, these failures were for the most part due to his difficulties in working with his American counterparts.

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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