Lot 125

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Nicholas Fish ALS, Glorious News at Valley Forge Re: the Alliance with France

FISH, NICHOLAS. Autograph Letter Signed with Initials, “N. F.”, 3 pp., “Camp Valley Forge”, May 9, 1778, 8.25” x 13” to Lt. Col. Richard Varick at Poughkeepsie. Integral address leaf at verso with remnants of red wax seal, dampstained, short separations at intersecting folds with early tape repairs, upper edge of second leaf lost prior to the writing of this letter, as is clear from the text. Copy of typed transcript included.  

The Army at Valley Forge celebrates the alliance with France. The Continental Army had spent the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge in desperate conditions, undernourished, poorly clothed, and ravaged by illness. Weeks after emerging from that long winter, the army learned the news it had hoped for. In early May 1778, George Washington was informed by Congress that the long hoped for Treaty of Amity and Commerce had been negotiated with France. Washington shared the news in his General Order of May 5, “It having pleased the Almighty ruler of the Universe propitiously to defend the Cause of the United American-States and finally by raising us up a powerful Friend among the Prince of the Earth to establish our liberty and Independence upon lasting foundations, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine Goodness & celebrating the important Event which we owe to his benign Interdisposition.”

In this splendid letter, Major Fish describes in detail the day’s events, celebrating the glorious news of what would prove to be one of the war’s decisive events, “Doubtless You have heard the Cause, and probably the Particulars of our Rejoicings in Camp on the 6th inst.  We were for one Hour employed in returning Thanks to the Supream Governor of the Universe for the signal Display and Manifestations of his approbation, of our just and righteous Exertions in Defence of this infant Empire, and applicating a continuance of his Favors. At ten o’Clock a.m. the Signal Gun for assembling the Troops into Brigades was fired, at 11 agreeable to the previous Disposition the Signal was given for the whole Line to move in Columns of Brigades to their Ground, where We past a Review by his Excellency the Commander in Chief. At one o’Clock p.m. a Continental Salute of 13 Cannon was given and immediately succeeded by a feu de joy of a running Line from right to left thro’ the whole Line, & concluded with three Cheers of the Line, with the following Expression ‘Long live the King of France’. The same Process was repeated and concluded with three Cheers and ‘Prosperity to the united States of America’. The Afternoon was celebrated by all the Officers of the Army in the most rational and jocund amusements at Head Quarters and the Day concluded with universal Happiness & the strictest Propriety.”

In this long letter, Fish also discusses Varick’s intention to resign his commission in the army, New York political intrigues, and the recent death of Fish’s mother, “But here I must stop, here my Prospects are sullied, Permit me dear Varick to ask Your Sympathy and Condolence on the melancholy Event of my Mothers Death, the News of which has just reached me since I have been writing, and tinctured my most happy Moments with Misery & Gloom. My Pangs would be keen beyond Description (as I am told that during her illness my absence gave her infinite Distress) were I not fully convicted of the Propriety of my Conduct, which ever was founded upon the pure Principles of Duty and Love to my Country.”

Nicholas Fish (1758-1833), Revolutionary War major and patriarch of the Fish political dynasty, became an intimate friend of Alexander Hamilton at King’s College (now Columbia University). By 1775, they were fast friends, and members of the “Hearts of Oak”, one of the earliest volunteer militias in New York. Hamilton later described Fish as “prized both as a friend and officer”, and Fish joined with Hamilton to serve George Washington throughout the war.  

VERY SCARCE. Only one other autograph letter signed by Nicholas Fish appears in the auction records since 1975.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses

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April 14, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
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