Richard Henry Lee Autograph Letter Signed Sells for $15,000 at NateDSanders.com
To auction, sell or consign your Richard Henry Lee autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).
Richard Henry Lee Autograph
A Richard Henry Lee autograph letter signed regarding Colonial separation or regarding the Revolutionary War are rare for their historic content but also be quite pricey. Here at NateDSanders.com, we have been lucky enough to have handled three Richard Henry Lee autograph letter signed. Here they are with descriptions, pictures and prices realized of our Richard Henry Lee autograph letters:
Richard Henry Lee Autograph Letter Signed — “…in the construction of our Provincial Frigates. It is intended for the use of our Navy board…”
Declaration of Independence Signer Richard Henry Lee autograph letter signed, mentioning George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Here, Lee writes as Member of the Continental Congress from Chantilly, Virginia on 8 March 1777 to Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor John Page. In part, “Dear Sir: I arrived here yesterday evening after 6 days disagreeable travel thro the snow. Mrs. Lee’s anxiety to see her children after 6 months absence prevailed with me, on the adjournment of Congress, to bring her home – In ten days I shall return to the busy scene – Your brother & his Lady had the smallpox in the mildest manner imaginable – The inclosed is contracted from a very sensible Memoir sent to Congress by a French Artist, and which may avail us greatly in the construction of our Provincial Frigates. It is intended for the use of our Navy board, to whom I should have written if the Express were not waiting for my dispatches. Gen How having landed in person at Amboy, with a reenforcement, and some heavy Artillery occassions much speculation, and makes it to be greatly lamented that the new raised Troops go so slowly up to Head Quarters – The American Army is now much inferior in number to the British, and yet, were 15,000 Men now with General Washington; he might finish the business of next summer this winter. By a letter from our Agent in Martinique 7th Jany, I consider the war between Spain & Portugal as certainly commenced this in South America, and we learn that Doctor Franklin arrived safe at Nantes the 6 December & went directly to Paris…Richard Henry Lee.” Integral leaf addressed by Lee to “Honorable John Page esquire / at / Williamsburg.” Letter is in very good condition. Sold for $15,000
Colonial Patriot 1781 Richard Henry Lee Autograph Letter Signed — “…come quickly & silently into Chesapeake Bay for the purpose of entrapping Arnold & his banditti…”
Richard Henry Lee autograph letter signed, dated 19 February 1781, from “Chantilly” [Westmoreland County, Virginia], to General George Weedon. In his letter, after beginning with good news about Daniel Morgan’s success at the Battle of Cowpens, Lee turns to the problem of Benedict Arnold’s raids in Virginia on behalf of the British. Lee’s letter reads in part, “…I return you my thanks for the most agreeable news that you sent me of our friend Morgan’s success. I think that affair will give a favorable turn to the southern war…” Lee, who had been urging Congress “for a proper marine force to come quickly & silently into Chesapeake Bay for the purpose of entrapping Arnold & his banditti” continues, “…What a fine business it would be to take the whole of these people in a season of their highest confidence!…” He signs, “Richard Henry Lee”. Two page card style letter measures 7.25″ x 9″. Dampstaining and moderate wear, overall very good. Sold for $7,500.
Long 1779 Revolutionary War Dated Richard Henry Lee Autograph Letter Signed to Patrick Henry — Detailing How the British Were Unwilling to Exchange Prisoners of War With the Americans
Richard Henry Lee autograph letter signed as Chair of the Marine Committee of Continental Congress, to Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia concerning Governor Henry’s interest in the exchange of naval prisoners. Retained draft is datelined Philadelphia, 3 March 1779. Lee explains how the congressional committee distinguishes between state and Continental prisoners, and how the British negotiate for each, adding that ”no cartel has ever been, or could be settled with the enemy for American prisoners in G.B., they being unwilling there to recognize us in such a light…and therefore these exchanges have been confined to prisoners in America only.” Given the enormous number of American prisoners of war who were dying in British prison ships, exchanges were a matter of great urgency, but were only rarely completed. Large single page letter measures 8” x 12.75”. Moderate dampstaining, paper repairs to separations at folds, verso reinforcement on bottom right of letter, two small ink burn holes, and numerous cross-outs and emendations. Very good condition. Published in Letters of Delegates to Congress, 12:142-3. Provenance: Freeman’s sale, 16 April 1928, lot 167. Sold for $7,199.
To auction, sell or consign your Richard Henry Lee autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).