Raynor HCA 2013-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/24/2013
Asa Waterman Collection - Archive of the papers of Asa Waterman, including a Revolutionary War-dated letter from Benedict Arnold. Archive consists of 44 total items, ranging in date from 1774 up to 1789, including letters addressed to Waterman, retained draft letters by Waterman, and other receipts, documents, and related papers. The one page letter from Arnold, signed “Bt Arnold, Br Genl,” 6.5 x 8, dated “Swanzey, March 20, 1777,” has substantial paper loss to the middle affecting portions of the text, and reads, in part: “You are hereby ordered to make strict Inquiry, & Search for Wt. India Rum, Spirits, & Molasses in the State of Massachusetts Bay, or Rhode Island, & apply to Such persons as you find have such…on hand, and Purchase one hundred…Rum, & Spirits…to sell the same for the…Army, you are to make such…sure they are deposited…forbid them from being removed & make immediate return to me of the same…this shall be your sufficient warrant.” Arnold’s signature remains quite bold. Other letters to Waterman are from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., Jeremiah Olney, Samuel Chace, C. Whipple, Joseph Baker, Paul Allen, Samuel Woodbridge, and Charles Leffingwell, who writes of trouble with his apprentice, “Foolish boy for running away. He had received his flogging, was only ty’d for a little impudent saucy expressions. He must come home & work faithfully in the copper shop & learn his trade. That is best for him & that is most advantageous for me.” Also a 3pp letter from C. Whipple to Waterman discussing finances including “... I sold my negor man to raise money to pay you.” Letters concern procurement of various provisions and settlements of accounts. Draft letters from Waterman to various recipients include Horatio Gates, Joseph Baker, Peter Colt (2), John Waldron, Captain Amasa Keyes, John Hall (concerning kegs of sturgeon for Gates), and Moses Brown. One letter to Colonel Henry Champion concerns beef for the forthcoming siege of Newport. In part: "I had no order to do it until this intended expedition…I was ordered to do it by Maj. Genl. Sullivan on application to him by Count Destaing.” Another letter to Captain Keyes concerns a privateering investment gone bad. In part: "Our small boat is haul'd up as she rec'd sum damage on her last unsucksessful cruze. Sum of the owners have sold out. She now belongs to Mr. Joseph Cooke, Silvenus Jenckes, you & myselfe. The owners think best to sell her for the most she will fetch.” Remainder of the archive consists of various financial and shipping documents, several concerning the Brig Fanny of Port-au-Prince, the boarding of horses, various supply requests, and Waterman’s trade with Haiti. In overall fair to fine condition, with varying degrees of paper loss to many of the letters and documents, as well as scattered toning and dampstaining, and usual folds and handling wear. A fascinating archive that demonstrates the great importance of trade in sustaining troops during the Revolutionary War.October 5, 2013 UPDATE regarding condition and additional images;
Of the 44 items, 5 have heavy paper loss (similiar to the Arnold piece shown; 6 have minor paper loss along the folds or edges; 33 are VG for the period. We also have included two additional images showing 6 pieces. The image with 2 pieces concerns Moses Brown; the image with four pieces concerns shipping documents including Polly. Thanks.
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