Sale 290


 
Lot 131



1778 (Jun. 7) Philadelphia Pa. to Flintshire, North Wales, datelined folded letter carried via the New York to Falmouth packet bearing London "22 / JY" Bishop mark upon arrival, then on to North Wales, manuscript "1N" rating updated to "in all 1N4", some light soiling and wear, Fine, rated 1 shilling for transatlantic packet postage plus 4 pence British inland postage.
Estimate 6,000 - 8,000

ONE OF THREE RECORDED LETTERS FROM THE OCCUPIED PHILADELPHIA AREA.

The letter from a British Army Lieutenant notes: "…the Comm'rs are come and we are in great anxiety to know what plan will be fixed upon for the ensuing campaign - peace is not wish'd at all, nor hardly talk'd of as the Rebels have delcar'd they will not treat but as Independent States. All the goods of this town are put on board ships and fallen down the river by order of the Commander-in-Chief - many people who fear'd being left behind,
have embark'd in these ships, all the heavy baggage of the Army, the women & children are embark'd also; The rebels have publish'd a list of persons whom they mean to treat as traytors to the States of America, if they will not give them selves up before the 21 - of June 1778. Even then to take their tryals for their several treasons…This has olig'd several people to leave this town & put them selves on board the ships, some for England and others to take their chance with the Army…"

Written three weeks before the battle of Monmouth and the British departure from Philadelphia

The British occupied Philadelphia in September, 1777 and remained there through June 1778. It was shortly after learning of the Franco-American military alliance that the British command, fearing an expanded theater of war, left the city and disbursed their troops to the West Indies and Florida.


 
Realized $4,000



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