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Lot #153
William Johnson

William Johnson

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Estimate: $800+
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Description

William Johnson

Irish-born military officer (1715-1774) who fought in the French and Indian War and who served as British superintendent of Indian Affairs, based in New York from 1755 to 1774. Two ALSs addressed to William Johnson, one signed "Isaac Swits" and the other "Jas: Stevenson," three total pages, each docketed on the reverse in the hand of Johnson (both sections have since detached from their respective letters). The Swits letter, dated September 20, 1770, in part (spelling and grammar retained): "I Rec'd your kind favour of the 4th of August Past and as the Leut. Col. John Wenna was not in Town being obliged to make this Delay of answering yours before and their is no other Captain within the Limitts of the City that Mr. Abram C. Cuyler but yet their is other officers and Lieuts that has Never been Captains yet whome have had Commissions Since the year 1753, of whome Jacob Lansing Jun'r is the eldest Lieut but Levening that to your own Judgement as they have Never been Captains yet. So of Corse Mr. Abram C. Cuyler is the Senyour." The detached lower portion of the letter lists the date, and the reverse is docketed by Johnson, "S'br. 20th 1770, Col. Isack Swits letter, concerning a Major." The second letter, from Stevenson, dated December 6, 1773, in part: "I should have wrote you on my arrival but was obliged to accompany Col. Christie as far as Saratoga—Mr. Adams promis'd to acquaint you that Cap't Campbell was endeavoring to get appointed for the Indian department in Canada, that matter / by Christie's acct / is now fix'd, except what salary he is to have which was soon to be determined—From the friendship you have…for me, I thought it incumbent on me to acquaint you with this affair, least you should not have been informed from any other quarter." The reverse of the detached integral sheet is docketed by Johnson, "Capt. Stevenson's letter, Decbr. 6th 1773." In overall very good condition, with splitting and separations along folds and hinges. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs And Artifacts
  • Dates: #495 - Ended March 15, 2017





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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