George Washington Signed Letter, 1777, Stating that American Victory and Freedom Are Unique Gifts of the "Providence" of God. Learn more: [ Ссылка ]

In this original letter, recently acquired from descendants of the recipient and never before offered for sale, George Washington writes to Brigadier General James Potter upon hearing the news of the major victory at the Battle of Saratoga. In the lead up to the Valley Forge encampment, Washington instructs General Potter, who spied on the British for Washington, to try to cut off the supply chain between the British fleet and occupied Philadelphia and to urgently raise troops.

The euphoria of the moment - the low point after the defeat at Germantown followed by the crucial victory at Saratoga - led the usually reserved and serious Washington to step out of character and write with deep feeling and enthusiasm what is clearly a letter of great import. It starts out by announcing the victory at Saratoga and says it was due to divine Providence, that God sought to establish American liberty, and that Americans needed to rally to the colors. He gave orders of importance to his campaign, and went on to characterize the American Revolution as “the glorious work we have in hand.” We have never seen a Washington letter like it on the market, and we are not aware of any letter of Washington referencing Heaven having publicly sold.

The full text of the letter, signed by Washington, from the Head Quarters at Peter Wentz’s, 18th October, 1777, to Brigadier General James Potter:

“Sir, I congratulate you upon the glorious successes of our Arms in the north, an account of which is inclosed – This singular favour of Providence is to be received with thankfulness and the happy moment which Heaven has pointed out for the firm establishment of American Liberty ought to be embraced with becoming spirit – it is incumbent upon every man of influence in his Country to prevail upon the Militia to take the field with that energy which the present crisis evidently demands. I have no doubt of your exerting yourself in this way – In the Post which you now occupy you may render the most important Services by cutting off the Enemies Convoys and Communications with their Fleet, for this purpose you should strain every nerve. There is another thing which I would suggest and leave you to judge of the practicability of it – I think that you might harass the parties of the Enemy on Province Island in such a manner as to produce a great Diversion in favour of Fort Mifflin – Let me again entreat you and through your means every one of any influence among the Militia, to exert it to the utmost in exciting them to the Field where by seasonable Reinforcements the glorious work we have in hand will be completed – I am Your most h’ble Servt., G. Washington.”

The text of the letter is in the hand of Washington aide Lt. Col. John Laurens. Laurens, a South Carolinian who opposed slavery, is remembered as the man who in 1779, gained approval from the Continental Congress for his plan to recruit a brigade of 3,000 slaves by promising them freedom in return for fighting. Laurens was killed in action in 1782.

This is a historical letter of enormous importance, the original of which was not known to have survived until now.

See more Washington historical documents and autographs for sale at The Raab Collection: [ Ссылка ]

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