2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
MASON, JOHN TUFTON Grandson of John Mason, the founder of New Hampshire. Noted officer during the first English attempt on Louisbourg in 1748. A rare fine content A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo., Louisbourg, June 26, 1748 to his wife in Portsmouth, N.H. A scathing letter in which he lambastes William Pepperell who commanded New England troops during the siege of Louisbourg in 1745. Ht writes in part: "...I believe I should tarry here sometime for all that Sr. Wm. [Pepperell] told me concerning his Writing to the Secretary at Warr [sic]: at My Commotion [sic]. Was absolute falsehood for if he had it Would have Been done Long Time for We have had the Kings Leave 9 Month agoe [sic], Provided the Col. Consented. If he Knew What People here think of him he would not act as he Does it will not be Long Before he is Convinced of his many Errors & that he Cannot Deale With the army, as With his Kittery Slaves, Notwithstanding all What he Said & Wrote me that the Governor & Captain Were uneasy till I came here on acct. of Duty Being hard, there is Not one Word of truth in the Whole But on the Contrary Every Body Expected that I Was oute [sic] of the Regiment & Were Surpized to Se[e] me come & Do Duty, Some time agoe Col Mercer Wrote that if Sr. Wm.'s Let[t]er had arrived in England he Should have Brought Mr. Luther's Commition [sic] With him Mr. Luthers friends Write they are In hope to get it Done Withoute him So that I Expect Coll. Mercer Will Bring it at Last, We Expect him in the fleet Who are Looked for Every Day..." Imagine the vitriol Mason must have spewed when he found out about the Treaty of Aix-la-Chappelle later that year which returned Louisbourg back to the French! Usual folds with weak areas reinforced on verso, light soiling, left margin reinforced, otherwise very good.
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