Lot 244
Henry, Patrick (1736-1799), Virginia lawyer, orator, Governor of Virginia (1776-1779, 1784-1786), declined Washington's nomination as Secretary of State (1795). In 1775, in a speech advocating that the Colonies prepare to defend themselves against the British, Henry uttered the immortal phrase, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Revolutionary War-date Autograph Letter Signed as Governor of Virginia, one page, 8 x 12½ Williamsburgh, April 11, 1777. To "His Excellency Richard Caswell Esq.r" [Governor of North Carolina], in full:
"Sir, W.mburgh Ap.l 11th 1777— A Letter from Gen.l Washington is inclosed. [sic] I beg you to send it forward from your state. I have the pleasure to send you a copy of a Letter I rec.d last night & congratulate you on its Contents. Any Intelligence on the subject of Indian affairs, will lay an obligation on me. I beg leave to refer you to my former Letters on that subject. With great Regard I have the Honor to be Sir, y.r most hble Serv.t P. Henry.
P.S. For your Information I also send you Copy of an Extract of a Letter from Gen.l Washington. I guess something of that Last may be the subject of Gov.r [of South Carolina John] Rutledges Line. P.H."
Fine condition with reinforcement of three horizontal folds.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
At this time the Indians were considered a serious threat to the Continental Army. Many of tribes had fought alongside the British during the French and Indian War (1754-1763), so during the American Revolution a large number of the estimated 200,000 Indians living east of the Mississippi again took the side of the British, who tended to want to protect the Indian lands, while the Americans seemed to want to take those lands for themselves. It is interesting to note that the only reference made to American Indians in the Declaration of Independence was to "merciless Indian savages".
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| Realized $8,500 |
