![WASHINGTON, George. Autograph letter signed ("G:o Washington") as Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army, to Miss Anna Clifton in Philadelphia, Camp at Cambridge [Mass.], 14 September 1775. 1 full page, folio, integral address leaf neatly inlaid to a larger sheet, addressed in Washington's hand, WITH A FINE, INTACT IMPRESSION OF WASHINGTON'S PERSONAL SEAL in red wax, a few repairs to extreme margins and to holes at fold intersections.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01630_1110_000(102127).jpg?w=1)
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WASHINGTON, George. Autograph letter signed ("G:o Washington") as Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army, to Miss Anna Clifton in Philadelphia, Camp at Cambridge [Mass.], 14 September 1775. 1 full page, folio, integral address leaf neatly inlaid to a larger sheet, addressed in Washington's hand, WITH A FINE, INTACT IMPRESSION OF WASHINGTON'S PERSONAL SEAL in red wax, a few repairs to extreme margins and to holes at fold intersections.
WASHINGTON PLEADS "THE CRUEL NECESSITY OF THE TIMES" TO JUSTIFY CENSORSHIP OF HIS OFFICERS' MAIL. A highly unusual letter, written during the eight months seige of Boston. Washington evidently is responding to Miss Clifton's complaint that a letter addressed to her from one Captain Ellis (perhaps a suitor?) had been opened and presumably read before reaching her. In conciliatory tones, Washington explains the need for military censorship, even of his officer's letters: "I am sorry that the cruel necessity of the times should cause you to receive a Letter thro' my hands, open;--the only apology I can make for it is, that all Letters which pass the lines In, or out, of Boston, do, in consequence of general orders to the Officers Commanding at those Posts, undergo an Inspection; and that Captn. Ellis's Letter to you had met this fate before it got to my hands...."
The "Captain Ellis" who had written to Miss Clifton may be Paul Ellis, who commanded the 15th Massachusetts Foot under Washington during the Boston seige, and was killed in the Battle of Monmouth, 28 June 1778. Evidently unpublished, not in Papers, Revolutionary War Series, ed. W.W. Abbot, vol.1
WASHINGTON PLEADS "THE CRUEL NECESSITY OF THE TIMES" TO JUSTIFY CENSORSHIP OF HIS OFFICERS' MAIL. A highly unusual letter, written during the eight months seige of Boston. Washington evidently is responding to Miss Clifton's complaint that a letter addressed to her from one Captain Ellis (perhaps a suitor?) had been opened and presumably read before reaching her. In conciliatory tones, Washington explains the need for military censorship, even of his officer's letters: "I am sorry that the cruel necessity of the times should cause you to receive a Letter thro' my hands, open;--the only apology I can make for it is, that all Letters which pass the lines In, or out, of Boston, do, in consequence of general orders to the Officers Commanding at those Posts, undergo an Inspection; and that Captn. Ellis's Letter to you had met this fate before it got to my hands...."
The "Captain Ellis" who had written to Miss Clifton may be Paul Ellis, who commanded the 15th Massachusetts Foot under Washington during the Boston seige, and was killed in the Battle of Monmouth, 28 June 1778. Evidently unpublished, not in Papers, Revolutionary War Series, ed. W.W. Abbot, vol.1