![[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.]. WEEDON, George. Two autograph letters, unsigned, (retained copies) to Marquis de Lafayette, Fredericksburg, 18 June and 26 June 1781. Together 3 pages, folio, chipping along edges of 26 June letter costing a few words.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2015/NYR/2015_NYR_12436_0251_000(revolutionary_war_weedon_george_two_autograph_letters_unsigned_to_marq055040).jpg?w=1)
Details
[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.]. WEEDON, George. Two autograph letters, unsigned, (retained copies) to Marquis de Lafayette, Fredericksburg, 18 June and 26 June 1781. Together 3 pages, folio, chipping along edges of 26 June letter costing a few words.
“I THINK HIS LORDSHIP WILL FIND US VERY TROUBLESOME SUBJECTS”
Two dramatic letters about espionage, possible treachery and the tricky problems of supplying Lafayette’s forces as the Frenchman tracks Cornwallis’s movements along the James River. On 18 June Weedon, alluding to Governor Thomas Jefferson, says “Mr. Harvey who will have the honor of sending you this, wishes to employ a fine brig he has in the River as a Flag [ship], and should the Executive grant him this privilege shall esteem your friendly attention to him as a particular favor.” A “fine troop of horse raised in Gloucester” by Col. James Innes “will be here tomorrow morning…This troop consists of thirty-six. I am happy to hear the horse from Maryland were yesterday at George Town where they will meet my express to hurry them on…” Eight days later, as Lafayette battled Cornwallis at Spencer’s Tavern, Weedon reports “a discovery of very great villainy” in “the counties of Essex and Middlesex. The principle characters are ascertained; their conduct with the original papers have [been] reported to the Executive in hopes of vigorous measure being permitted and exemplary punishment inflicted on such notorious offenders.” He mentions the interception of letters to Cornwallis “of which Carre makes particular mention of being sent by a trusty person as per No. 2,” evidently referring to an American spy among the British. Weedon then speculates on Cornwallis’s likely next moves: “I have ever been of opinion the Enemy would finally settle in Williamsburg…however if we can prevent a chain from Queens to Colage Creeks I think his Lordship will find us very troublesome subjects.” He hopes to avoid a general engagement, since a “rout to us would be ruinous.” He closes by reporting the arrival of 54 gunships at Boston and enough supplies to feed the French Army at Rhode Island. A fascinating pair of letters from Lafayette’s spirited Virginia campaign that served as a key prelude to Yorktown.
“I THINK HIS LORDSHIP WILL FIND US VERY TROUBLESOME SUBJECTS”
Two dramatic letters about espionage, possible treachery and the tricky problems of supplying Lafayette’s forces as the Frenchman tracks Cornwallis’s movements along the James River. On 18 June Weedon, alluding to Governor Thomas Jefferson, says “Mr. Harvey who will have the honor of sending you this, wishes to employ a fine brig he has in the River as a Flag [ship], and should the Executive grant him this privilege shall esteem your friendly attention to him as a particular favor.” A “fine troop of horse raised in Gloucester” by Col. James Innes “will be here tomorrow morning…This troop consists of thirty-six. I am happy to hear the horse from Maryland were yesterday at George Town where they will meet my express to hurry them on…” Eight days later, as Lafayette battled Cornwallis at Spencer’s Tavern, Weedon reports “a discovery of very great villainy” in “the counties of Essex and Middlesex. The principle characters are ascertained; their conduct with the original papers have [been] reported to the Executive in hopes of vigorous measure being permitted and exemplary punishment inflicted on such notorious offenders.” He mentions the interception of letters to Cornwallis “of which Carre makes particular mention of being sent by a trusty person as per No. 2,” evidently referring to an American spy among the British. Weedon then speculates on Cornwallis’s likely next moves: “I have ever been of opinion the Enemy would finally settle in Williamsburg…however if we can prevent a chain from Queens to Colage Creeks I think his Lordship will find us very troublesome subjects.” He hopes to avoid a general engagement, since a “rout to us would be ruinous.” He closes by reporting the arrival of 54 gunships at Boston and enough supplies to feed the French Army at Rhode Island. A fascinating pair of letters from Lafayette’s spirited Virginia campaign that served as a key prelude to Yorktown.