Description:

Surrender! "Troops under Gen. Burgoyne (now Prisoners in this State)", Incredible 1777 Rev. War DS

Manuscript Document Signed, "Abram. Watson", 2pp of a bifolium, 8" x 13", Cambridge, November 5, 1777. Docketed at verso. Paper-covered wax seals at signature. Pencil annotation at bottom of page two. Complete separation at integral vertical fold, minor separation at central horizontal fold. Partial paper attachment at left edge of page one, presumably indicating prior mounting. Toning and light soiling. Accompanied by two steel cut engravings concerning the surrender of General Burgoyne, both published by Virtue, Emmins & Co., and an engraved vignette portrait of Burgoyne.

The here offered document is a bond for Abraham Watson, who was appointed a commissioner for supplying British troops under General John Burgoyne (1722-1792) who were captured at the Battle of Saratoga. The bond is signed by Watson and several witnesses. It reads, in part, "The Condition of this Bond is such Whereas the said Abram. Watson is appointed one of the Commissarys [sic] for Supplying the Troops under Genl. Burgoyne (now Prisoners in this State) with the various sorts of provisions brought to Boston Market, the produce of the United States that the said prisoners shall need over & above their Rations agreeable to a Resolution of the General Court of this State passed the 25th of October 1777. Now if the said Abraham Watson shall honestly & faithfully discharge the duties of his said office & shall pay into the Treasury of this State on Oath all the Solid Coin or hard Money, he shall receive in the Course of the Business & shall also account for all the paper Money he shall be intrusted with for discharging said Business & shall pay into the Treasury of this State all the Paper Money unexpended in his hand in the said Business and shall also employ no person or persons under him in discharging said Trust..."

British General John Burgoyne surrendered his army to General George Washington on October 17, 1777 at the end of the Battle of Saratoga. The British prisoners were marched to Boston, arriving first at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where this document was written.

The Americans won a decisive victory over the British at the Battles of Saratoga on September 19 and October 7, 1777. General Burgoyne led a large invasion army southward from Canada with hopes to take Albany, New York. Burgoyne had planned on meeting British forces marching north from New York City, as well as troops marching east from Lake Ontario. When the forces never arrived, Burgoyne found himself surrounded by American forces 15 miles short of Albany. Burgoyne was forced to fight two battles 18 days apart on the same ground 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York. Despite being outnumbered, he won the first battle. Burgoyne was defeated at the second battle after the Americans returned with an even larger force. Burgoyne was trapped with no relief; he retreated to Saratoga and surrendered his entire army on October 17.

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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