细节
JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President. Autograph letter signed (Th:Jefferson") as President, to Reverend William Bentley, Monticello, 19 August 1805. 1 page, 4to, 245 x 200 mm. (9¾ x 7 7/8 in.), integral address leaf in Jefferson's hand, three minor losses at corners, long tear to integral address leaf.
JEFFERSON SENDS SALUTES AND COMPLIMENTS TO GENERAL STARK, HERO OF THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON
Jefferson asks Reverend Bentley to forward a letter for him to the aged General John Stark who had been responsible for the American victory in the Battle of Bennington in 1777. Jefferson explains his motives for saluting Stark: "Your favor of July 18 was duly received, & I with pleasure forward to you the expressions of my respect & esteem for the venerable General Starke [sic], whose name, lately mentioned in the newspapers, had excited in me, at the time, the sensations which the recollection of his services were calculated to inspire. I had been witheld from expressing them to him by a doubt of the propriety of such a step from one who is personally unknown to him. [D]isinterested esteem, however, & approbation cannot be unacceptable to anyone. I therefore take the liberty of soliciting your delivery of the inclosed letter to him. [A]nd I perform this duty with the more pleasure as it permits an occasion of tendering to yourself my friendly saluations..."
The President's letter to Stark, enclosed with this letter, remained in the hands of Stark's descendants until recently (sold at Christie's, 20 November 1992, lot 262, $64,000). John Stark (1728-1822), from rural New Hampshire, organized a regiment at the beginning of the Revolution, fought at Bunker Hill, Trenton and Princeton, thwarted the British expeditionary force under Burgoyne by his victory at Bennington in August 1777 and personally led the force that cut off Burgoyne's last escape route after Saratoga. Stark remained on active duty until 1783, when he retired to his farm in New Hampshire.
JEFFERSON SENDS SALUTES AND COMPLIMENTS TO GENERAL STARK, HERO OF THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON
Jefferson asks Reverend Bentley to forward a letter for him to the aged General John Stark who had been responsible for the American victory in the Battle of Bennington in 1777. Jefferson explains his motives for saluting Stark: "Your favor of July 18 was duly received, & I with pleasure forward to you the expressions of my respect & esteem for the venerable General Starke [sic], whose name, lately mentioned in the newspapers, had excited in me, at the time, the sensations which the recollection of his services were calculated to inspire. I had been witheld from expressing them to him by a doubt of the propriety of such a step from one who is personally unknown to him. [D]isinterested esteem, however, & approbation cannot be unacceptable to anyone. I therefore take the liberty of soliciting your delivery of the inclosed letter to him. [A]nd I perform this duty with the more pleasure as it permits an occasion of tendering to yourself my friendly saluations..."
The President's letter to Stark, enclosed with this letter, remained in the hands of Stark's descendants until recently (sold at Christie's, 20 November 1992, lot 262, $64,000). John Stark (1728-1822), from rural New Hampshire, organized a regiment at the beginning of the Revolution, fought at Bunker Hill, Trenton and Princeton, thwarted the British expeditionary force under Burgoyne by his victory at Bennington in August 1777 and personally led the force that cut off Burgoyne's last escape route after Saratoga. Stark remained on active duty until 1783, when he retired to his farm in New Hampshire.