PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
WOLCOTT, Oliver (1726-1797), Signer (Connecticut). Autograph letter signed ("Oliver Wolcott") as Connecticut Governor to Benjamin Walker (1753-1818) in New York; Philadelphia, 17 February 1797. 1 page, 4to, marked "Private" at top, integral address leaf in Wolcott's hand, with his FREE FRANK and a second signature. Fine condition.
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WOLCOTT, Oliver (1726-1797), Signer (Connecticut). Autograph letter signed ("Oliver Wolcott") as Connecticut Governor to Benjamin Walker (1753-1818) in New York; Philadelphia, 17 February 1797. 1 page, 4to, marked "Private" at top, integral address leaf in Wolcott's hand, with his FREE FRANK and a second signature. Fine condition.
A RARE ALS OF WOLCOTT, REGARDING A NEW YORK VETERAN ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLEMENT. Wolcott reports to Walker, a New York businessman and land agent, that "Mr. Rogers has I presume been nominated this day; and I take it for granted will be appointed. I shall write a private letter to General [John] Lamb, which will bring this affair to issue--it may be well for you to see him, and advise him, if the public monies are not at his command to resign. Otherwise he will certainly be dismissed...For his personal interest & character this will be best, if, as I now fear is the case his accounts will not bear investigation..." Wolcott authorizes Walker to "use my name," and to promise that "my conduct...will be governed by candour, & that I shall be disposed to render the affair as little irksome as possible..."
John Lamb (1735-1800), a New Yorker at the forefront of anti-British agitations, later commanded one of the Continental Army artillery brigades. In 1784 he was named collector of customs in New York City, and when his chief clerk embezzled a large sum of the public funds, went to extraordinary lengths to repay the government, selling much of his property. He died impoverished a few years later.
A RARE ALS OF WOLCOTT, REGARDING A NEW YORK VETERAN ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLEMENT. Wolcott reports to Walker, a New York businessman and land agent, that "Mr. Rogers has I presume been nominated this day; and I take it for granted will be appointed. I shall write a private letter to General [John] Lamb, which will bring this affair to issue--it may be well for you to see him, and advise him, if the public monies are not at his command to resign. Otherwise he will certainly be dismissed...For his personal interest & character this will be best, if, as I now fear is the case his accounts will not bear investigation..." Wolcott authorizes Walker to "use my name," and to promise that "my conduct...will be governed by candour, & that I shall be disposed to render the affair as little irksome as possible..."
John Lamb (1735-1800), a New Yorker at the forefront of anti-British agitations, later commanded one of the Continental Army artillery brigades. In 1784 he was named collector of customs in New York City, and when his chief clerk embezzled a large sum of the public funds, went to extraordinary lengths to repay the government, selling much of his property. He died impoverished a few years later.