Details
ST. CLAIR, Arthur (1737-1818), Major General. Autograph letter signed ("Ar. St. Clair", with flourish) as Major General, to Robert Morris (1734-1806), Pennsylvania Congressman, "Fredericksburgh," 7 October 1778. 1 page, folio, with integral address leaf and autograph panel, marked "favd. by General Lincoln," minor seal tear, otherwise in fine condition, docketed on verso by Morris.
"I AM ANXIOUS TO BE RESTORED TO THE GOOD OPINION OF MY COMPATRIOTS"
An important letter relating to the loss of Fort Ticonderoga in July 1777. St. Clair had been appointed by Congress to succeed Horatio Gates as commander at Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in 1777, arriving just before Burgoyne and his army of 9,500 attacked the fort. St. Clair ordered a successful evacuation of the fort when the position became untenable, but the loss of this stronghold "dashed American spirits" (Boatner), and resulted in a court-martial of St. Clair. Here, just after his aquittal with honor, St. Clair appeals to Morris to help restore his tarnished reputation: "My Court Martial at length being got over, and before this [is] transmitted to Congress, I beg the interference of your good Offices to prevent its being up again there. When you consider how long I have been the Object of public Censure you will not be surprised that I am anxious to be restored to the good Opinion of my Compatriots, and that any delay must give me much Pain; at the same time that Congress not having decided upon General Lee's Trial, and the Sentiments of some of the members towards me, give me just Cause of Alarm. God knows how I obtained the honour of their Resentments but -- I forgive them..."
St. Clair refers to Major General Charles Lee (1731-1782), court-martialed for his failure at Monmouth and subsequent disrespect to Washington. Though cleared by his own court-martial, widespread suspicions of St. Clair's loyalty persisted and when Arnold's treason incited rumors that another high-ranking American officer was aiding the enemy, St. Clair's name surfaced once again. He continued to serve in mostly minor commands before retiring in 1783. Re-instated in 1791, he was involved in another failed military campaign and once again cleared by a Congressional investigation.
"I AM ANXIOUS TO BE RESTORED TO THE GOOD OPINION OF MY COMPATRIOTS"
An important letter relating to the loss of Fort Ticonderoga in July 1777. St. Clair had been appointed by Congress to succeed Horatio Gates as commander at Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in 1777, arriving just before Burgoyne and his army of 9,500 attacked the fort. St. Clair ordered a successful evacuation of the fort when the position became untenable, but the loss of this stronghold "dashed American spirits" (Boatner), and resulted in a court-martial of St. Clair. Here, just after his aquittal with honor, St. Clair appeals to Morris to help restore his tarnished reputation: "My Court Martial at length being got over, and before this [is] transmitted to Congress, I beg the interference of your good Offices to prevent its being up again there. When you consider how long I have been the Object of public Censure you will not be surprised that I am anxious to be restored to the good Opinion of my Compatriots, and that any delay must give me much Pain; at the same time that Congress not having decided upon General Lee's Trial, and the Sentiments of some of the members towards me, give me just Cause of Alarm. God knows how I obtained the honour of their Resentments but -- I forgive them..."
St. Clair refers to Major General Charles Lee (1731-1782), court-martialed for his failure at Monmouth and subsequent disrespect to Washington. Though cleared by his own court-martial, widespread suspicions of St. Clair's loyalty persisted and when Arnold's treason incited rumors that another high-ranking American officer was aiding the enemy, St. Clair's name surfaced once again. He continued to serve in mostly minor commands before retiring in 1783. Re-instated in 1791, he was involved in another failed military campaign and once again cleared by a Congressional investigation.
Special notice
Tax exempt.