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Lot 29
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Sir Henry Clinton signed warrant for payment of British troops
Sir Henry Clinton signed warrant for payment of British troops
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Description:

Clinton Henry 1738 - 1795 Sir Henry Clinton and Standout Angus Macintosh both sign and see to the payment of the famous Fraser's Highlanders for service at Brandywine
A subsistence warrant for payment of British troops of the 71st Regiment of Foot, written during the British occupation of New York. Partially printed document comprising of four leaves on laid paper. Bound by a cord, partially disbound and separated, 7.75" x 12.5". The first leaf is slightly smaller at 7.25" x 12" and displays the warrant for payment. Signed by H. Clinton as "H Clinton" in "New York" on the "13th" Day of "July 1778", and counter signed by John Smith "John Smith". Verso additionally boldly signed by Angus Mackintosh "Angus Macintosh". Recto of the second leaf contains the manuscript accounting for payment for "32 Sergeants ..., 32 Corporals ..., 16 Drummers ..., and 702 Privates ...". Verso and balance of the pages blank and/or docketed. Overall toned, slightly grubby and with handling marks. With a touch of humor as Angus (Macintosh) is mis-spelled twice on the recto as "Agnus".


An important multi signed document from a period of US history containing some of the most dramatic moments in the American Revolutionary war. The 71st Regiment of Foot (also known as the Fraser Highlanders) participated in the theater of the New York Campaign, the site of modern New York City, in a series of major rapid paced battles in the early American Revolutionary War.

This warrant for payment for subsistence of the 71st Regiment of Foot troops covers their engagement from October 25th through December 24th of 1777. The regiment was first raised in 1775 Scotland by Lieutenant-General Simon Frazer for service in the American Revolutionary war , and were sent to America in April 1776 (although Frazer did not accompany them to North America). Although the Fraser Highlanders manner of dress was 'unique' for cold weather climates, wearing Black Watch Tartan kilts, accoutrements included a cartridge box worn around the stomach, and elaborate feathered caps, they were intensely fierce in battle. Although never drilled, they were ordered into combat immediately and upon arrival in New York the regiment was attacked by American troops.

(During this same time period, on the other side of the Atlantic, Washington and his men moved in to defend Manhattan and New York Harbor in 1776, General Washington believed the British strategy would be to divide the colonies by capturing the strategic port and waterways of New York City. He then began to fortify the city and took personal command of the Continental Army at New York in the summer of 1776.)

The 71st regiment joined General Howe at Staten Island successfully participating in that battle. Their success was repeated at the Battle of Fort Washington, fought once again in New York on November 16, 1776. Another British victory that gained the surrender of the remnant of the garrison of Fort Washington near the north end of Manhattan Island. It was one of the worst Patriot defeats. This followed with the 71st Regiment participating in The Battle of Fort Lee, and The Philadelphia campaign, both further successes for the British. Washington prepared defenses against Howe's movements at Brandywine Creek, but was flanked and beaten back in the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. After further skirmishes and maneuvers, Howe was able to enter and occupy Philadelphia.

This short lived victory moment may have been the apex for the British, as from this point forward their forces lost traction and they encountered difficulties. Howe's Philadelphia campaign was controversial because, although he successfully captured the American capital of Philadelphia, he proceeded slowly and did not aid the concurrent campaign of John Burgoyne further north. This ended in disaster for the British who suffered the consequences during the Battles at Saratoga, which brought France openly into the war (France had been secretly aiding the rebels since 1776). General Howe resigned during the occupation of Philadelphia and was replaced by his second-in-command, General Sir Henry Clinton (one of the signatories on this document)

The American Revolution, may have begun as a civil conflict between Britain and its colonies, but now it had become a world war.

Although Clinton evacuated the troops from Philadelphia back to New York City in 1778 in order to increase that city's defenses against a possible Franco-American attack. Washington harried the British army all the way across New Jersey, and successfully forced a battle at Monmouth Court House that was one of the largest battles of the war. Britain may have held the city without challenge until 1783 however their fate was already sealed .

As for the fate of the elaborately dressed Fraser Highlanders, the regiment split and moved South taking part in actions in the Southern theatre, remaining in South Carolina until the final evacuation of Charleston on 18 December 1782

An important rare Henry Clinton signed document from arguably one of the most significant periods of the American Revolutionary War.

Provenance: Samuel Moss, acquired in 1959.

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