September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
CHRISTIE, William. Autograph letter signed to Governor Thomas Pownall of Massachusetts, dated Albany, 4 August 1757. 2½ pages, quarto. THE FRENCH ATTACK FORT WILLIAM HENRY. A vivid letter in which Captain Christie of the 48th Regiment, serving as aide de camp to General Abercromby, describes military operations on the New York frontier and quotes General Webb's description of the attack on Fort William Henry. Christie describes the growing intensity of military activity on the frontier: ''On Sunday last by Express from General Webb, he apprehended the design of the Enemy, against Fort William Henry, Accordingly wrote and I sent...Expresses everywhere, to raise the Militia.'' Responses, he notes, were mixed: ''But the Militia here about...have been very Delatory [sic], but they are now beginning to come in.'' He reports that Webb, at Fort Edward, has sent several messages demanding men, he quotes the most recent, describing how the fort had been surrounded by ''a large Body of Indians and Canadians'' joined by ''Troops and Artillery.'' A Canadian prisoner, stated that the enemy force consisted of ''Eleven thousand Men with Thirty Six Pieces of Cannon, and five Morters [sic], at least.'' Webb is desperate for aid: ''All Communication is Cutt off at Present...We are in no situation to assist them, not having fifteen hundred Men'' and reinforcements must be sent as ''the fate of this Colony depends on it.''
This was formerly sold, with the John Shirley letter, lot 95, below, for $3525 at Christies Mss Sale, 29 OCT 01 (lot 43)