September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/6/2023
2 page letter datelined Whitehall 13th March 1780, boldly signed Amherst. Born in 1717, he gained fame as architect of the British conquest of Canada in the Seven Years War, leading the 1758 attack on Louisbourg and becoming Commander in Chief of the British army in North America, taking Ticonderoga and Montreal, with forces under his overall command taking Niagara and Quebec. He became Governor General of British North America in 1760 and received promotion to Major General the same year and soon after was involved in sending British expeditions to the West Indies. Pontiac's Rebellion, however, damaged his military reputation, and his record of supporting the introduction of smallpox into the Native American population has not improved it. He was recalled to Britain and replaced by Gage, but promoted to full General and Commander in Chief of the Forces. In that capacity, he sent this letter to General Elliot, the Governor of Gibraltar, noting that he had exceeded his authority in allowing officers to return to Britain to sell their commissions and also singling out Lt. Col. Craig for some stinging criticism by trying to sell his commission in the 56th Regiment and claiming rank from an earlier commission in the 17th Regiment, but had in fact "put himself out of the army" when he sold that commission. With JSA letter of authenticity. Nice insight into the inner workings of the army. CONDITION: Excellent.