Description:

Rufus King
Newburyport, MA, ca. 1777
Signer of the Constitution Rufus King 1777 ALS, "nothing authentic from the Southern army...Howe is surrounded by Washington"
ALS
Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, "R King", with flourish, 3pp bifolium, 6.5" x 8.25", Newburyport, Massachusetts, circa 1777. To Doctor Robert Southgate. With integral address leaf. Expected folds and creases, some very minor loss at same. Opening tear at red wax seal. Soiling, toning and browning throughout. Overall, in very good condition.

King, at just 22-years-old, writes to his brother-in-law regarding family, the Southern army, his need for funds, and his ill health. In part: "The good Lady with whom I lodge has not layed in her winter wood relying upon a supply through me - Please increase the sum of cash to £30 - We have nothing authentic from the Southern army - Some say Howe has got his Ships up to the City having weighed the Chevaux de Frise - others that they have given up the design of passing their Ships up the River & that Howe is surrounded by Washington...I have been in Ill Health but am recruiting...if the Doctor was not possessed of the Heroism and intrepidity of that renowned Knight, he would have yielded up the Ghost before this..."

Rufus King (1755-1827) was an American Founding Father, lawyer, politician, and diplomat. King graduated Harvard College in 1777, then began to read law under Theophilus Parsons, but his studies were interrupted in 1778, when he volunteered for militia duty during the American Revolutionary War. Appointed a major, he served as an aide to General John Sullivan during the Battle of Rhode Island. After the campaign, King returned to his apprenticeship under Parsons. He was admitted to the bar in 1780 and began a legal practice in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He was a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress and the Philadelphia Convention, and was one of the signers of the United States Constitution in 1787. After formation of the new Congress, he represented New York in the United States Senate. King emerged as a leading member of the Federalist Party and was the party's last presidential nominee during the 1816 presidential election.

Robert Southgate (1741-1833) was a doctor, lawyer, judge, gentleman farmer, and businessman. He was born in Leicester, Massachusetts, and in 1773, he married Mary King, sister of Rufus King. One of the first doctors in the area, Southgate gave up his medical practice after becoming interested in the law and being appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas. As a businessman, along with William and Cyrus King, he headed the Scarborough Turnpike Corporation, which built the Cumberland Turnpike.

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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  • Dimensions: 6.5" x 8.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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