2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2024
HENRY DEARBORN (1751-1829). 5th United States Secretary of War (March 1801-March 1809) serving under President Thomas Jefferson. On January 27, 1812 Appointed by President James Madison as Senior Major General in the United States Army in Command of the Northeast Sector from the Niagara River to the New England coast. November 6, 1801-Dated Federal Period, Autographed Document Signed, "H. Dearborn," as Secretary of War, 1 page, measuring 8" x 9.75.", Very Fine. Official transfer of United States Army Muskets is in very pleasing condition with some clean professional repair to splits at the folds, and where the wax seal was torn when opened. Henry Dearborn boldly writes this instruction in deep brown on laid period paper, headed from the "War Department" to Archibald Crary, Esq., (1748-1812) the First Adjutant General of Rhode Island (1779-85) at Newport (Rhode Island), with an Integral Transmittal Cover written by Dearborn's hand. It reads, in full: "War Department 6th November 1801 -- Sir - You will be pleased to deliver to Mr. Andrew McCorrie, Jun'r on his application, all the muskets in your possession belonging to the United States taking his receipts for the same.... (Signed) "H. Dearborn". The reverse side features a response note from McCorrie, acknowledging by receipt: "Newport - January 18th: 1802 -- Received of Archibald Crary late Agent of Fortifications at this place agreeable to the within order four hundred & twenty three chests of contract arms and twenty chests of French Arms containing Eleven thousand & forty stands belonging to the United States and have given (Signed) Crary." "P.S. one chest above mentioned contained ten stands & one D'. five stands." Colonel Archibald Crary (1748 - 1812). Revolutionary War Commander of the 2nd Rhode Island State infantry Regiment. Archibald Crary was the son of William & Elizabeth (Campbell) Crary of Voluntown, CT, and the nephew and namesake of Archibald Campbell, an East Greenwich attorney. Crary served as Colonel of the Rhode Island Continental Line Regiment, and participated in six Revolutionary War battles. He was the first Adjutant General of RI 1779-85. The reason for the transfer of such a huge number of guns in 1801 is not specified. An impressive War Department document.
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