Revolutionary War–dated partly-printed DS, signed “G:o Washington,” one page, 8.5 x 13, June 7, 1783. Continental Army military discharge headed “By His Excellency George Washington, Esq., General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.” In part: “These are to certify that the Bearer hereof Samuel Collins Sergeant in the 1st Connecticut Regiment, having faithfully served the United States from the 21st April 1777 to the date hereof and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army.” Prominently signed at the conclusion by General Washington, and countersigned below by Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., L. M. Loomis, and Zebulon Butler. Matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 18 x 17, with a glass backing for viewing the reverse, which reads, “Headquarters, June 7, 1783. The within certificate shall not avail the bearer as a discharge until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace, previous to which time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on furlough.” In very good condition, with old tape stains to separated folds; this is a remarkably well-preserved example compared to most surviving documents of this type, and Washington’s signature remains bold, crisp, and clear.
During the six years of faithful service that earned Samuel Collins the Badge of Merit, he most notably saw action at the Battle of Monmouth, where his regiment was tasked with guarding the Hudson Highlands above New York City. While cessation of hostilities was publicly announced on April 19, 1783, it was not until September 3 that the Treaty of Paris was finally signed; during the interim these documents were issued as ‘furlough’ documents, rather than true discharges. Beyond it’s content, this document is enhanced by the addition of Jonathan Trumbull’s signature; after serving as Washington’s aide-de-camp in the last years of the war, he went on to become a leading Connecticut politician whose roles included speaker of the House of Representatives, senator, and governor. Dating to the end of the Revolutionary War and boasting an ideal Washington signature, this is an immensely desirable discharge for one of America’s veteran patriots. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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