$800
Washington, George (1732-1799) Contemporary Fair Copy of Correspondence between General George Washington and Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, Cambridge and Boston, August 11, 13, and 19, 1775. Inscribed over four and a half pages, some discoloration due to old tape repairs, flattened and silked, slight losses along some fold lines, 12 1/2 x 7 3/4 in. "To Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, Cambridge August 11th 1775. Sir, I understand that the Officers engaged in the Cause of Liberty, and their Country, who by the Fortune of War, have fallen into your Hands have been thrown indiscriminately, into a common Gaol appropriated for Felons—That no Consideration has been had for those of the most respectable Rank, when languishing with Wounds and Sickness. That some have been even amputated, in this unworthy Situation. Let your Opinion, Sir, of the Principle which actuates them be what it may, they suppose they act from the noblest of all Principles, a Love of Freedom, and their Country. But political Opinions I conceive are foreign to this Point, the Obligations arising from the Rights of Humanity, & Claims of Rank, are universally binding and extensive, except in Case of Retaliation. These, I should have hoped, would have dictated a more tender Treatment of those Individuals, whom Chance or War had put in your Power—Nor can I forbear suggesting, its fatal Tendency to widen that unhappy Breach, which you, and those Ministers under whom you act, have repeatedly declared you wish'd to
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2017-05-23
