Description:

Thomas Jefferson
n.p. [Philadelphia, PA], November 9, 1792
Thomas Jefferson ANS to Pinckney Concerning Northwest Indian War, PSA NM-MT 8
ANS

A holograph postscript message signed "Th: J." from then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, U.S. Minister to Great Britain. Measuring 4.5" x 3.75", n.p. [Philadelphia, PA], November 9, 1792. Jefferson writes, after hearing word of a possible peace between the U.S. and several Northern indigenous tribes, in full: "P.S. Nov. 9 1792. a direct conveyance to Lisbon occurring, the letter for Colo. Humphreys is sent by that." Exhibits general age toning throughout, with faint edge soiling. Negligible, isolated staining below Jefferson's address of Pinckney's name. Otherwise, near fine with bold and unobstructed signature! Encapsulated by PSA/DNA to an overall size of 6.5" x 10", receiving a grade of NM-MT 8.

The day before this note was penned on November 8, 1792, Jefferson would send near-identical missives to Pinckney (1750-1828) and Colonel David Humphreys (1752-1818)- both U.S. foreign ministers- regarding his reluctance to remain Secretary of State and concluding in part: "We yesterday received information of the conclusion of peace with the Wabash and Illinois Indians. This forms a broad separation between the Northern and Southern war-tribes." Indeed, it was likely this development in the Northwest Indian War that Jefferson sends in his "direct conveyance" to Humphreys in Lisbon.

The Northwest Indian War (1785-1795) was an armed conflict for control of the Northwest territory fought between the newly formed United States and a group of Native American nations now referred to as the Northwest Confederacy. Beginning in late September 1792, the Natives held a large council with representatives from numerous tribes, with a reported 3,600 warriors in attendance. Delegates from the Iroquois, including Red Jacket (ca. 1750-1830), came to present the peace offer from the United States, which named the Muskingum River as the proposed boundary between the United States and Native territory. This offer was countered, however, by a majority opposition who argued that the Ohio River was the only acceptable boundary. Detrimentally, when Red Jacket reported the council decision to an American official in November, he omitted the confederacy's demands about the Ohio River boundary. As a result, the Americans were given an erroneous impression that the confederacy was prepared to accept U.S. terms, thus making Jefferson's assurance of peace unknowingly false.

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 10" (slabbed)
  • Medium: ANS

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