September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
SHIRLEY, John. Son of General William Shirley (1694-1771). Autograph letter signed to Robert Hunter Morris, governor of Pennsylvania, dated Boston, 29 May 1755. 2 pages, quarto. John Shirley, an officer in the newly-raised 44th Foot or Shirley's Regiment, describes British preparations for campaigns against the French in New England: ''The Nova Scotia Troops sail'd not 'till four days after our Return hither...my father seems to think that if he had not been absent [engaged in war planning with General Braddock in Annapolis, Maryland] they would have gone w[i]th such Arms as might have been had here 3 Weeks before they did: Rous, Shirley & Proby in 20 Gun Ships sail'd as their Convoy...the French at Louisbourg had but one thirty six Gun ship there a month ago &...were almost starving for want of Provisions.'' Shirley describes preparations for the expedition against Crown Point: ''Our Regiment will begin to move in Companies from hence to Providence...& they are to proceed directly to Albany...'' He notes that master craftsmen are preparing ships for their transport. Shirley writes that ''my father takes up every Moment of [my time] ...& I imagine, if I was not his son, as he is now a Major General, he would declare me his Aid de Camp.'' Shirley, in fact, later died during his father's unsuccessful attempt to take Fort Niagara.
[NB: this was formerly sold, with the Christies letter above, for $3525 at Christies Mss Sale, 29 OCT 01 (lot 43)]