Description:

Hopkins Stephen 1707 - 1785 Declaration of Independence signer Stephen Hopkins pledges troops

SIGNER STEPHEN HOPKINS PLEDGES THE SUPPORT OF HIS STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR WILLIAM SHIRLEY FOR SUPPLYING TROOPS FOR THE MARCH TOWARDS CROWN POINT AND NIAGARA DURING THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.


Autograph Letter Signed, 1 1/2 pages, 6" X 7.25" to as Governor of Rhode Island, Providence, June 5, 1755 to Massachusetts Governor William Shirley, who was also at this time Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America, pledging troops from Rhode Island to support the expedition against the French to Crown Point.

Hopkins writes: "Your Excellency's letter accompany'd by extracts from Major General Johnsons letter and his instructions I received by express on Saturday evening. And on Tuesday by the post was favoured with your other letter with the Resolve of your Great and General Court impowering Your Excellency to take

five hundred of the forces raised from the expedition to Crown Point with you in your midland enterprise. The General Assembly of this Colony will meet on Monday next when I shall lay the several matter recommended by you as also those mentioned by General Johnson before them and shall not fail to do everything in my power to prevail with the Assembly to take effectual measures that all may be done therein that is fit for them to do. There is no doubt they will accede to the vote for part of the forces destined for Crown Point going to Niagara and one might as certainly promise for every other Article if they were not attended with more expence. Whatsoever the Assembly do relative to the expeditions I

will immediately communicate to Your Excellency. Two Companys of the forces raised by this Colony will sail for Albany on Monday next and the others will follow in a few days." Fine and important. Though called the French and Indian War, the fighting was mainly between the French and British for control of North America. The British had suffered a major defeat in 1755 when Braddock was defeated and killed at Fort Dusquene. Shirley was nominated to take his overall command, and personally led the expedition against Niagara, with Rhode Island troops indeed supplementing his own, but only got as far as Oswego, while General William Johnson's troops got as far as Lake George. After these failures,

Shirley was recalled to London and narrowly missed being court martialled. Both Forts Niagara and Crown Point were finally taken in 1759, Johnson capturing Niagara and Jeffrey Amherst successful at Crown Point. Those victories effectively ended the war, with the result favorable to the British. Important letters such as this between colonial governors are rare, and this one is particularly significant.

From the Robert Batchelder collection. (priced by him at $6500)

Provenance:

This remarkable piece is offered directly from the estate of Robert Batchelder, among the most important dealers of the 20th century who began his passion in autographs and historical documents in the late 1960's. Each piece will include Robert's original description indicating the noted retail price which could have been 20 years ago, in addition to his inventory folder containing his handwritten notes. Robert's highly diverse background and amazing achievements include a long list of important societal memberships, examples worthy of noting include an honorary member of the Society Cincinnati, a member of the Manuscript Society, the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America), the ANA (American Numismatic Association), the PAGCA (Pennsylvania Antique Gun Collectors Association), the PADA (Professional Autograph Dealer Association), and the UACC (Universal Autograph Collectors Club). He was a graduate of University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and served in the U.S. Army Air Force.

A portion of the commission on Batchelder lots will be donated to the Alzheimer's foundation.

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