Lot 166
Hamilton, Alexander (1755-1804), West Indies-born soldier, lawyer and politician, Secretary and aide-de-camp to George Washington, 1st Secretary of the Treasury (1789-1795), co-wrote The Federalist Papers with James Madison and John Jay; killed in a duel by Aaron Burr War Date Autograph Letter Signed as Washington's aide-de-camp, one page, 6¾ x 8¼ Head Quarters, White Plains, September 3, 1778. To Charles Pettit, Assistant Quartermaster General, in full:
"Sir, Two things I am charged by the General to write to you upon — one is to prevent any more wood being cut on Wm. Jay's farm — Another is, to begin to cast about for providing materials for building Winter Quarters in case we should be obliged to winter in this part of the country - boards tools &c. I am sir Yr. huml Ser, [signed] Alex Hamilton, Aide De Camp"
Boldly penned with strong, large signature; moderate ink blotting in lower portion of text where Hamilton has struck out words; some light soiling on integral address leaf in Hamilton's hand to "Mr. Pettit, Ass. QMG" and minor wax seal damage on same leaf, otherwise Fine.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
Hamilton joined the Continental Army as George Washington's aide in March 1777 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served for four years as Washington's de facto Chief of Staff. He handled both military and political correspondence, drafting many of Washington's orders and letters at Washington's direction, and was eventually allowed to issue orders for Washington over his own signature.
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| Realized $5,500 |
