Major general in the Continental Army (1733-1810) during the American Revolutionary War, known as the officer who formally accepted the British surrender at Yorktown. Revolutionary War-dated ALS signed "Benj Lincoln," one page, 7.25 x 4.75, Boston, June 12, 1776. Handwritten letter to Henry Jackson. In part: "You are desired by the committee for fortifying the harbour of Boston to take ye Over sight and instruction of all ye movements on ye Water this night in the harbor aforesaid you will endeavor to procure so many men as a guard on ye Several Wharves, & Shores as to prevent any Boat from leaving the town on any pretense whatever." In very good to fine condition, with scattered light staining and soiling, and a thin mounting remnant to left edge.
One day after the Committee of Five—Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Sherman, and Livingston—were appointed by the Continental Congress to draft the Declaration of Independence, General Benjamin Lincoln penned this message to soon-to-be General Henry Jackson with instructions to secure Boston Harbor. Although the British had evacuated Boston in March of 1776 under pressure from George Washington's forces, several of their ships remained in the outer harbor. The following morning, June 13th, Lincoln ordered Continental batteries to open fire on the remaining British fleet, driving them off once and for all, and inspiring Lincoln to say, 'thus is the port of Boston again opened by our own authority after having been closed during two years by virtue of the British Parliament.' An outstanding war-dated letter with incredible battle-related content, penned on the eve of the reclamation of Boston Harbor.
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