Auction for Revolutionary War letter

[Albert]

Auction for Revolutionary War letter with Long Island link
BY BILL BLEYER | bill.bleyer@newsday.com
http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-lilett026021619feb02,0,1266024.story
 
February 2, 2009
One of three known letters written by Gen. George Washington about his Long Island spy network in the American Revolution is scheduled to be auctioned in Manhattan next week.

Stony Brook University, which already owns one of the historically important letters about the Setauket Spy Ring, is hoping to add a second to its colonial document collection at the Feb. 12 sale by Christie's.

The 1780 letter, owned by an unnamed private collector, was written by the commander of the Continental Army to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, his head of intelligence, about giving recognition after the war to Oyster Bay resident Robert Townsend, aka Culper Jr., his chief spy.

Christie's estimates the letter will sell for $25,000 to $35,000. Manuscript specialist Pat McGrath said the estimate would be much higher if not for the economic downturn.

Assemb. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket), who brought together donor Henry Laufer and the university and arranged a state grant to cover the university's $46,000 share of the $96,000 purchase in 2006, said he has begun a similar effort. "It would be most unfortunate if we did not bring these two letters to the same repository to reinforce the importance that Long Island and New York played in securing our nationhood."

Chris Filstrup, dean of libraries at Stony Brook University, said "as a public university, we want to have another great public document that fits beautifully with the first letter."

The letter was written in Bergen County, N.J., on Sept. 16, 1780. It apparently relates to a request by his highly valued top spy, who operated in British-occupied Manhattan, for recognition or payment for his services after the war. "Should he continue Serviceable and faithful, and should the issue of our Affairs prove as favorable as we hope, I shall be ready to recommend him to the public, if public employ should be his aim, and if not, that I shall think myself bound to represent his conduct in the light it deserves, and procure him a compensation of another kind," Washington wrote.

McGrath said "the reference to compensation or public recognition is particularly intriguing, since Townsend never claimed any credit for his wartime exploits, and took his secrets with him to his grave in 1838. Townsend's correspondence doesn't seem to have survived.

"It was only in the 1930s that historian Morton Pennypacker uncovered Culper Jr.'s true identity after comparing samples of Culper Jr.'s letters with the handwriting of a hitherto obscure merchant, Robert Townsend."

HISTORIC NOTES

Five noteworthy letters held by Long Island institutions

TR'S PRIDE AND PAIN. Theodore Roosevelt to Mrs. Harvey L. Freeland on Aug. 14, 1918, about death of son Quentin in World War I. Owned by Theodore Roosevelt Association. "Quentin's last letters ... when of his squadron on an average a man was killed every day, are written with real joy in the 'great adventure.'"

EINSTEIN'S THANK YOU. Albert Einstein to friend David Rothman of Southold on July 20, 1940, about a gift. Owned by Southold Historical Society. "I feel happy indeed about your kindness and at the same time ashamed because I cannot show my gratitude for the care in connection with my boat."

JEFFERSON, THE BUSINESSMAN. Thomas Jefferson to David Gelston, collector of the Port of New York, on Feb. 23, 1809, about the payment of shipping cost. Owned by the Long Island Collection at the East Hampton Public Library. "I pray you to accept my thanks for the many friendly attentions you have paid to matters of this kind for me ... "

WASHINGTON'S BLESSING. George Washington to Benjamin Huntting, Nicol Floyd and other Long Islanders on Sept. 7, 1795, about the treaty ending the Revolution. Owned by Suffolk County Historical Society. "It is now generally known that the treaty has received my assent ... it is not given until after the most mature deliberations."

A REQUEST FOR FREEDOM. Freed man Cato Crook of Southampton to Elias Smith of Smithtown on Oct. 2, 1819, about Crook's niece, a runaway slave. Owned by Smithtown Public Library. "She complains much of hard usage which if it be true ought not to be ... I wish Sir you would dispose of her."