Rare ‘proof’ state, one of only a handful. Shows rare ‘Restitutio view’ of New-York and played a part in the Penn-Baltimore Dispute.

“Upon reading this day at the Board the Humble petition of W^m. Penn Esq^r … Her Ma^ty. in Councill taking the same into her consideration is Graciously pleased, to ord^r accordingly, that the s^d petition of the Lord Baltimore, Be, and it is hereby Dismissed”

This atlas, designed for British officers to use in the field, includes the “maps that the British high command regarded as providing essential topographical information in the most convenient form” (Schwartz & Ehrenberg).  The publishers claimed that their work would fit into an officer’s pocket, but it was more often carried in a holster. The present copy was bound in a more easily managed size with the maps cut, mounted on linen, and folded into a quarto-sized binding.

This 1776 Siege of Boston pay document bears the signatures of 34 members of Captain Luke Drury’s Company.  At least 23 of the signers were Grafton, Massachusetts-area Minutemen who had responded to the Lexington-Concord Alarm on April 19-21, 1775, including Fortune Burnee, of African American and Native American heritage, joined by his half-brother, Joseph Anthony, who enlisted on April 29^th and died in service.  Revolutionary War documents simply listing Minutemen and black troops are scarce and desirable.  This document is an extremely rare relic actually signed by the soldiers.

John André proudly writes to his mother in England of his recent promotion to Adjutant-General of the British Army in North America, serving under Commander-in-Chief Sir Henry Clinton. André handled Clinton’s official correspondence and managed his network of spies in New York and New Jersey, which brought him into contact with disgruntled Continental Army General Benedict Arnold and ushered him towards the dreadful fate that awaited him later that month. This is one of his last letters to his family.

“Good fortune follows me, the Commander in chief has raised me to the first Office in the Army, if that of most confidence and least proffit is to be stiled so. I am Adjutant General … My satisfaction at my Appointment is renew’d at my acquainting you with it, as I am persuaded I am giving equal pleasure to what I have experienc’d myself … I do not derive great power from my situation but what openings it gives me to provide for, or oblige (in a good cause) I shall avail myself of at your nod.”

Fed up with “false hopes and temporary devices,” Washington calls for “an entire new plan.”

“We are without money … without provision & forage … without Cloathing - and … without men – In a word, we have lived upon expedients till we can live no longer, and it may truly be said that, the history of this War is a history of false hopes …”

“We must have a permanent force – not a force that is constantly fluctuating & sliding from under us as a pedestal of Ice would leave a Statue in a Summers day … Our Civil government must likewise undergo a reform – ample powers must be lodged in Congress as the head of the federal union, adequate to all the purposes of War. - Unless these things are done, our efforts will be in vain & only serve to accumulate expence – add to our perplexities, & dissatisfy the people without a prospect of obtaining the prize in view …”

Washington informs friend and fellow Virginian George Mason of Nathanael Greene’s appointment as commander of the southern army to replace Horatio Gates. Washington asks Mason, a prominent Virginia politician, to lend Greene whatever support he can in his new command. Washington then reports on the desperate state of the army, and offers a brief argument in favor of expanding Congressional power to prosecute the war. After the disastrous Battle of Camden, South Carolina, Greene’s appointment – and his successful leadership – finally allowed Washington to regain the offensive.

Order to pay a pilot who guided U.S. navy ships into Florida waters, enabling Jackson to remove Spanish influence there. The order includes payment for piloting the schooner that carried captured British agent Alexander Arbuthnot. Jackson’s hanging of the Scotsman would lead to an international outcry and a Congressional investigation.  

Also signed by John Baptiste, the pilot, with his mark, and witnessed by Surgeon Moses H. Elliott. Baptiste took this document back to the quartermaster at Fort Gadsden, where it was paid: “Fort Gadsden, May 7, 1818. Received of Maj. Milo Mason, Dept. Q.M.Genl., twenty six dollars in full of the above account.”

“The United States to John Baptiste for his service, as pilot on board the United States armed Schooner Thomas Shields under the command of Capt. McKeever from the 30th March to 14th April inclusive-16 days. For the same on board the Schooner Milo, Capt. Snow, from the 15 to 22nd April inclusive being- 8 days. For the same in piloting the Schooner Chance from the Bay of Apalache to St. Marks- 2 days. Total 26 days.  One dollar per day-- $26.  The Q.M. Genl. will pay the above account.”

A uniquely important Douglass letter, written while still a fugitive slave, mentioning his desire to return to America, negotiations with his owner to purchase his freedom, and speaking engagements in London. “My Anna says ‘Come home’ and I have now resolved upon going home … I shall sail for America on the fourth November--and hope to meet the beloved one of my heart by the 20^th of that month. Do not allow this arrangement [to] interfere in any way with your correspondence with my owner--as whether you succeed or fail good may come of the effort.”

Jackson gives directions to his division commander, D.H. Hill, on leaving the Shenandoah Valley to join Robert E. Lee in countering the Union offensive in Virginia. On December 13, Jackson and Hill contributed to the Battle of Fredericksburg, a decisive Confederate victory. “…Your route will be from New Market via Columbia bridge, & Fishers Gap. You will leave the Valley pike at New Market ...”

“[2/11/64] This forenoon had a game at ball, knocked the ball to pieces & had to stop...[2/12/64] had a game at ball. Towards evening had another game at ball... 

Pair of war-date diaries of Wheaton J. Race, Company H, 114th Regiment of New York State Volunteers, incredibly detailed content on marching, daily camp activities and news, rumors, and more, fighting and retreating (“on the skedaddle”), and contains ink ownership signature of Race. The 114^th N.Y. served principally under Nathaniel Banks in Louisiana, capturing Port Hudson on July 8, 1863, fighting in the failed Red River Expedition, and was reassigned to the Eastern theater in 1864.