America

BOSTON TEA PARTY. The London Magazine or Gentleman’s Monthly Intelligencer. January 1774 .8 ¼” x 5 ¼”. 52pp. great report of the Boston Tea Party, mentioning in part: body of the people of this & all adjacent towns…assembled at the Old South Meeting House to enquire the reason of the delay in sending the ship Dartmouth, with the East India Tea, back to London…The people finding all their efforts to preserve the property of the East India Company and reurn it safely to London, frustrated by the Tea Consignees, the collector of the customers & the Governor of the Province, dissolved their meeting-But, behold what followed! A number of resolute men dressed like Mohawks or Indians determined to do all in their power to save their country from the ruin which their enemies had plotted, in less than four hours emptied every chest of Tea on board the three ships amounting to 342 chests, into the sea! Without the least damage done to the ships with much more. Nice lengthy(1 ¼ column report , along with another small report about the value of the tea. From disbound yearly volume, small cut from t/r corner title page, overall VG. (H.85). $550.

CAPTURE OF NEW YORK. The Universal Magazine (London, England) dated Nov, 1776. Four 4 pages of detailed news of the capture of New York City by the British during the American Revolution. Three long letters signed in type by British General William Howe details the Battle of Harlem Heights, the retreat of General George Washington and his army from NY and the British taking of New York City. Very important Revolutionary War news report. The Universal magazine was not bound with a title page, and the map of New York is not present in this magazine. (H.87)$250.

To protect New York City and the lower Hudson valley from the British forces massed on Staten Island, on Aug. 27, 1776 George Washington sent part of his small army to defend Brooklyn Heights, on Long Island. After several unsuccessful peace overtures, Sir William Howe landed at Gravesend while the British fleet under his brother, Richard Howe, shelled New York. After Sir William's troops defeated an American force under John Sullivan and William Alexander (Lord Stirling), Israel Putnam, the corps commander, prepared for the main attack. Sir William, not wanting another Bunker Hill, decided to lay siege instead of storming Brooklyn Heights. Washington saw the position was hopeless and evacuated (night of Aug. 29-30) his army back to Manhattan. Shortly afterward, the Americans began the retreat northward in which delaying actions were fought at Harlem Heights, White Plains, and Fort Washington. Washington managed to extricate most of his troops, and he regrouped them before striking at Trenton.

Also included are three pages of detailed reports regarding the actions of the naval fleet on Lake Champlain (a letter signed in type by Guy Carleton , a letter from Capt Douglas and a letter by Captain Pringle “ upon the 11^th I came up with the Rebel Fleet commanded by Benedict Arnold. regarding the actions of the naval fleet on Lake Champlain.
In the spring of 1776 the British had a force of 10,000 men in place with plans to divide the American Colonies in half by taking control of Lake Champlain and driving down the Hudson River Valley thus splitting the colonies. Though the summer of 1776 American forces frantically raced to build a Naval fleet for the lake. On October 11, 1776 a squadron on fifteen hastily built American warships commanded by Benedict Arnold engaged a superior British fleet. The resulting cannon battle lasted for 5 hours with the American force loosing 2 boats, ten percent of their man power and being blockaded by the British. This battle was known as "The Battle of Valcour Island".. Desperate, Arnold and his officers planned a daring night time retreat past the British blockade. Under the cover of darkness with oars silenced by greased rags, Arnold's fleet of gun boats slipped past the British fleet. Arnold continued to fight on for three more days before retreating to Fort Ticonderoga.

BENEDICT ARNOLD'S TREASON. REVOLUTIONARY WAR. THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, AND HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. Lot of (2). November, 1780, 46pp and 1 plate and Supplement for the year 1780, 34 pp. and 1 plate London: Sylvan Urban, 1780. Octavo (8 3/8” X 5 3/8”) . From bound volume, remnants of leather along spine, F condition. Of great historical note is the November issue, which publishes the letter from Sir Henry Clinton, dated New York, Oct 12^th, informing his Lord Geo. Germaine, that "Maj- Gen. Arnold has quitted the rebel service and joined the king's standard...but which terminated most fatally for Major Andre who had been taken prisoner...condemned to suffer death... which sentence was ordered by the rebel general Washington to be carried into execution…” In the supplement for the year, is a lengthy,7 page report of the "Proceedings on the Trial of Major Andre" ¨ with great detail. One section begins "Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British Army will be brought before your examination. He came within our lines in the night, on an interview with Major Gen. Arnold, and in an affirmed character, and was taken within our lines, in a disguised habit with a pass under a feigned name and with the enclosed papers concealed upon him.... (signed) G. Washington." Report continues for 6 more pages. Two key issues. (H.86). $325.

WAR OF 1812 LETTER. One page ALS, stampless cover, New York, Sept 1813. 10" x 8 1/4". Relates recruiting and the capturing of the prize Boxer by the privateer Enterprise. In part:
Dear Parents, ...Yesterday I went with the Col and some of the other officers to visit the forts in a sail boat. ...I expect you know more abbout the war in the sound than we do here. the gun boats have gone up & a private armed vessel was fitted out here yesterday.The Privateer Enterprise has taken the Boxer and carried her into Portland(.) There were sixty killed on board the Boxer...Your dutiful son, John Ingerson .(H.83)$120.

WAR OF 1812 - Captain Edman Thomas. Light Infantry. Lot of (4) War of 1812 items belonging to Captain Edman Thomas. (Mh.17); $675.
a) 14" x 16" imprinted 1811 Pennsylvania Commonwealth Officer's Commission to Thomas for rank of Captain of Light Infantry company attached to the First Battalion of the 53rd Regiment of the Militia. Wear and splitting at folds (archival document tape placed on verso), stains along left border, o/w very good.
b) October 8. 1812, 13" x 7 1/2" three page manuscript letter by Capt. Thomas, discuses desertion : "men from other companys are deserting daly, and are advertised and sent for with gards, and somgits clear but I have the beleaf of five captins and a number of thear men will stand to the last"; company officers and orders " and if the Mager falls and I stand, I take his pase. It was the desier of five captins and a number of thear men that I shold run fur Mager..."; rations and sutlers, etc. One quarter size hole (where the seal had been on the letter, not affecting much text, /w clean and legible. Will come with a typed transcript of letter.
c)9 1/2" x 7 3/4" manuscript receipt for blankets w/ company signatures. Irregulat along left edge, o/w VG.
d)13" x 7 1/2" manuscript company roster, listing app. 40 names. Some wear and foxing, o/w G-VG.

GENERAL HULL'S SURRENDER TO THE BRITISH .The Columbian Centenel. Boston, 20 " x 14 1/4". Sept 5, 1812 ,4pp. Several lengthy reports on the surrender, including an extract of a letter from General Hull. Also other wars news. Overall VG, some moderate foxing, from bound volume. (Mh.15); $65.
During the War of 1812, he had the distinct misfortune to be in command in Detroit when the British and their Indian allies overwhelmed his forces causing him to surrender Detroit to prevent heavy loss of life. For his actions, he was court-martialed as a traitor and sentenced to death. The charge of treason was withdrawn, but he never-the-less became the scapegoat for the loss of Detroit and was sentenced to die though the court recommended clemency which President Madison granted.

NEWSPAPER- BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. The Weekly Register, Baltimore, Saturday, Feb. 11, 1815. 9 ¾” x 6 ¼”. 16 pp complete , from disbanded volume. Most of the entire paper is devoted to Jackson’s victory at New Orleans. The time frame for the reports and letters is early through mid January. A key issue as there is numerous detailed accounts of the battle, and the corresponding aftermath. Some moderate foxing , back page split from issue. overall VG.(NW.16)

The Niles Weekly Register was a leading weekly news magazine with a national circulation, and was founded by Hezekiah Niles in 1811. As an indexed and relatively comprehensive summary of events during this 1811 – 1849 period, the Register is considered the paper of record for its age and has long been a favorite resource for historians. Its usual printing run was 16 book-sized pages, but it often included appendices and extra pages.

On January 8, 1815, American forces, under General Jackson, decisively defeat the British forces trying to capture New Orleans. The battle, which takes place after the Treaty of Ghent has been signed, is the most decisive American victory of the war.

The British chose New Orleans as their major objective. They ruled out a water assault on New Orleans and instead chose to mount a ground assault. They chose to bring their ships to Pea River in the mouth of the Mississippi. Guarding this entry to the Mississippi were five American gunboats. Their 29 guns and 145 men were no match for the 45 British barges manned by 1200 men with 43 guns. The British ships swiftly dispatched the American in a short battle on December 23 1814. The American ships however gave General Jackson the commander of American forces in New Orleans some additional time to prepare the defenses of the city, as well as make clear the direction of the advance of the British forces. The British forces then came ashore at the mouth of the Bayou Bienvenu unopposed. They hoped to head up the Bayou five miles to the Mississippi and then another 12 to New Orleans. An advance guard of 1500 men moved forward and captured the Viillere plantation. One of the American officers managed to escape and get to New Orleans to warn Jackson.

CONSTITUTION DEFEATS JAVA. Philadelphia Gazette. June 18, 1813. 20 1/4" x 13"., 4 pp. Page 2 has the British account of the capture of the Java from the report of Lieut. Chads, first Lieut of the his Majesty's ship. Corresponding article taken from the Boston Daily Advertiser has an American reaction of the British account by an officer on the Constitution. Both articles are two and half columns. Though very readable, paper exhibits moderate use and wear (most noticeably along center folds, the bottom of the paper has been cropped, affecting text (though uncertain to what extent, my estimation is three or four lines plus border). Taken from bound volume, has typical stitching marks, spine is partially detached along bottom edge. (Mh.18); $65.
Constitution vs. Java. On December 29th, 1812 the USS Constitution faced HMS Java in an intense battle off the coast of Brazil. Despite having her wheel shot away early in the battle Constitution was nevertheless victorious. After the battle US sailors boarded the enemy ship, and took Java's wheel as their own. After they had transferred all of the surviving British troops to their ship, along with the valuable cargo they found on board Java, they set her ablaze, and it was then Captain Bainbridge remarked, " a perfect wreck we made ". The defeat of Java, the second frigate lost to Constitution in six months, motivated a change in the tactics of the Royal Navy. No longer would their frigates be allowed to engage American frigates like Constitution alone. Only British ships-of-the-line or squadrons were permitted to come close enough to these ships to attack.

POLK”S PROCLAMATION OF WAR WITH MEXICO. The Daily Mercury (New Bedford). May 18,1846. 23” x 18”. 4pp complete. Page 2 publication of Polk’s Presidential Proclamation for the declaration of war between Mexico and the U.S. Also contains several reports regarding the impending hostilities. The issue was not from a bound volume, shows folds, has large stain on top right fold on front page, not affecting text internally (war news);o/w VG. (Mh.60) $45.
On April 25 the Mexican troops at Matamoros crossed the river and ambushed an American patrol. Polk seized upon the incident to secure a declaration of war on May 13 on the basis of the shedding of "American blood upon American soil.".

BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. Bristol County Democrat (Tauton, Mass.). April 10. 1847. 23” x 17 ½” 4 pp complete. App. three columns (pg 2) devoted to the war; lengthy and detailed reports on the important victory at Buena Vista. The issue was not from a bound volume, shows folds, o/w VG-F.(Mh.58) $55.
Neither American success on the battlefield nor the restoration to power of the deposed strongman Antonio López de Santa Anna brought the expected negotiations. The administration prepared a new army under Gen. Winfield Scott to march from the coast to Mexico City. Santa Anna, aware of the American plans, attempted to defeat Taylor's troops in the north before returning to face Scott's force. The Mexican commander's plan failed when Taylor's largely untested 4,600-man army won a closely contested battle against 15,000 Mexicans at Buena Vista on February 22-23, 1847.

MEXICO CITY AND BATTLE OF CHAPULTEPEC. Bristol County Democrat (Tauton, Mass.). October 15.1847. 23” x 17 ½” 4 pp complete. Early report, app 2/3 column (pg 2) devoted to the American force taking Mexico City, and the battle at Chapultepec. The issue was not from a bound volume, shows folds, o/w VG-F. (Mh.59) $55.
In the final assault of Mexico City, on September 13-14, Scott's force seized the heights of Chapultepec and breached the inner defenses. Santa Anna abandoned the city but salvaged enough of his army to attack Puebla unsuccessfully later in the month). Other war news includes letter by Zachary Taylor regarding political intentions, and lengthy article “The Country and the War” (overview of the course of events, and , from a democratic newspaper, the denouncing Whigs

MEXICAN WAR- SOLDIER'S LETTER. 1p on a folded lettersheet. 4to. April 20, 1847. Concord, New Hampshire. A letter from Lieut. D, H. Crane to Lieut. George Bowers, 9th Regt. of Infantry, Nashua, New Hampshire. Remains of a red seal and a New Hampshire postmark, One small tear, touching no text, where letter was opened. (Mh.70); $150. In part:
"The Captain wishes me to send clothes at Wentworth [for] 35 men with him. I have come to the conclusion to wait and let our Captain see if he cares a damn for the Company how many men he has got (sic.) I am damn mad and I suppose we shall hear nothing from Captain until he enqulrs [sic) for him in Mexico. We shall see nothing for the Regiment until we form a subscription and b(u)y (sic) arms and accutments (sic) for our soldiers. Damn such a government. Burn this letter…'* (Signed with the Initials): "D. H. C,"

1863 HISTORY OF WEST POINT. HISTORY OF WEST POINT, AND ITS MILITARY IMPORTANCE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: AND THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. Boynton, Edward C. Capt. New York D. Van Nostrand 1863 1st edition 8vo, blue cloth, gilt device on front cover, gilt title on spine. xviii, 408pp, index, ads in back. Large color folding frontis panorama, maps (two folding), illustrations. Boards show wear to hinges, corners and spine. Near the heel of the spine the library catalog number has been removed (though an ex lib, I see no other signs of thus). Cover has been reinforced internally with a piece of linen tape. First free ep have been a vertical crease. One of the folding maps contains a 2" tear emanating from the gutter. Textually clean, a tight copy. "The contents of this book are about equally divided between the two topics named in the title. In the second part the author, who was a captain in the United States army and adjutant of the military academy, presents a general view of the school from its organization in 1794 to the date of publication. . ." LAH 2921, Nestler p. 173, Howes B-678, Sabin 7150. (Mh.65); $275.