February 24-26th 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2017
This War of 1812 letter written in 1814 is a request for better supplies for the defense of Pennsylvania. The letter references the Revolutionary War, including soldiers plundering. The document requests gear such as Cartridge Boxes, Bayonets, and Muskets. “HAVERFORD MARCH 1ST 1814 - DEAR GOVERNOR, AT MAJOR SNIDER’S REQUEST I HAVE DIRECTED THE ARMS OF THE 65TH REGIMENT TO BE COLLECTED IN ORDER TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED. THEY WILL BE SENT IF POSSIBLE THIS WEEK TO BE PUT IN ORDER AND FIT FOR SERVICE. I FEAR MANY OF THEM CANNOT BE MADE FIT. THE BAYONETS ARE GENERALLY GOOD FOR NOTHING. THEY CAN BE SUPPLIED THE ARMS SENT DOWN LAST SUMMER MUCH THE WORST. THE CARTRIDGE BOXES ARE BY NO MEANS FIT FOR SERVICE. THE BELT IS JUST TACKED TO THE BOX WITH LITTLE NAILS. WE ARE NO BETTER OFF WITH THEM THAN WITHOUT THEM. THE SITUATION OF THIS BRIGADE IS SUCH THAT CERTAINLY SOME PREPARATIONS OUGHT TO BE MADE FOR ITS DEFENSE. I THINK SOMEWHERE WITHIN TEN OR TWELVE MILES OF OLD CHESTER WE OUGHT TO HAVE ARMS, AMMUNITION, AND COMPLETE EQUIPMENT DEPOSITED FOR EIGHT HUNDRED OR A THOUSAND MEN TO BE READY IN CASE OF A SUDDEN ONSET. IF THIS COULD BE DONE WE MIGHT MAKE A BETTER DEFENSE THAN AS IT IS FOR CERTAINLY IF THE WAR CONTINUES, THERE IS EVERY REASON FROM THE CHARACTER IT APPEARS TO ASSUME THAT THOSE THAT FALL IN THE WAY OF THE ENEMY WILL FAIR NO BETTER THEN WE DID IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. THERE IS CERTAINLY A GREATER TEMPTATION THEN THERE WAS THEN WHEN THE GULLING OF HOUSES OF EVERYTHING OF COMFORT AND HERE AND THERE SOME LITTLE SILVER, TEA WARE TO GET WITH HERE AND THEIR GOOD KING AND SOME WOMAN’S SILVER SHOE BUCKLES. THE PRESENT BOOTY WOULD PRESENT A MUCH GREATER OBJECT TO THE PLUNDERER. THEREFORE, I THINK IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST AND MAKE ALL THE DEFENSE WE CAN. MAJOR SNYDER IS GETTING THE ARMS OF THE OTHER THREE REGIMENTS TOGETHER. PERHAPS IT MIGHT BE PROPER TO REPORT TO MAJOR TOURING? QUARTER MASTER GENERAL FOR THIS STATE FROM TIME TO TIME OF THE PROGRESS OF THE REPAIRS AND WHAT STATE THEY MAY APPEAR TO BE IN WHEN A MORE THOROUGH EXAMINATION TAKES PLACE. WE IN THIS PLACE SEEM DISARMED AND EXPOSED AND CANNOT HELP PLEADING FOR SUPPLIES TO ENABLE US TO MAKE DEFENSE IF THERE IS ANY PROSPECT I WOULD BE GLAD TO KNOW. I WISH YOU GOOD HEALTH. I AM YOUR VERY HUMBLE SERVANT WILLIAM BROOKE BRIGADIER GENERAL 2ND BATTALION 3RD DIVISION PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA” TO SIMON SNYDER GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. The document has some browning and foxing from age. Letter has folds. Overall in good condition.