1783–1786 Archive of Three Revolutionary War Manuscripts Relating to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington's Intelligence Chief
Archive of Three Revolutionary War Manuscripts Relating to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington's Intelligence Chief, 1783–1786
An exceptional archive of three original Revolutionary War manuscripts documenting the final settlement of Continental Army pay, clothing allowances, wagon bounty, and public securities during the closing months of the American Revolution. Two of the documents are signed by John Tallmadge, and all three most likely relate directly to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, commander of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons and George Washington's famed intelligence chief.
Together, the manuscripts trace the financial settlement of Revolutionary War service from the issuance of payment orders in 1783 through their official settlement by the United States government in 1786.
Document One
Litchfield, Connecticut – August 11, 1783
Addressed to Capt. William Planton, Paymaster, this order directs payment of fifteen pounds lawful money, earned as wages for 1782, to Benj. Tallmadge and another named individual.
The document is signed by Samuel Ware and witnessed by Stephen Downing and John Tallmadge.
The reverse bears an official federal endorsement dated New York, July 5, 1786, stating that 33 30/90 dollars of the order had been credited to the account of Elijah Farr upon settlement with the United States. It is signed by Joseph Howell, Jr., Commissioner of Army Accounts, and William Pierce, Revolutionary War officer, Constitutional Convention delegate, and Commissioner of Army Accounts.
Document Two
September 2, 1783
Addressed to Lieut. E. James, 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons, this manuscript instructs:
"Please to deliver Maj. Benj. Tallmadge all the public securities you may receive on my account..."
This document specifically identifies Major Benjamin Tallmadge and concerns the transfer of public securities issued in payment of military service, reflecting the Continental Congress's practice of compensating officers and soldiers with government certificates when specie was unavailable.
The receipt below acknowledges payment of the soldier's pay and clothing for 1783 and is signed by John Tallmadge.
Document Three
Litchfield – December 7, 1783
A payment order signed by John Tallmadge directing that his wagon bounty and clothing deficiency for 1783 be paid to Major Benjamin Tallmadge.
Orders concerning wagon bounty and clothing deficiencies are considerably less common than ordinary Revolutionary War pay receipts and provide important evidence of the final accounting process as the Continental Army was disbanded.
Historical Importance
These manuscripts document the closing chapter of the Revolutionary War through the financial administration of the Continental Army. Collectively they record:
- Final military wages
- Wagon bounty payments
- Clothing deficiency allowances
- Public securities issued in lieu of cash
- Authorization of payment to Major Benjamin Tallmadge
- Official federal settlement of Revolutionary War accounts in 1786
The September 2 document explicitly names "Maj. Benj. Tallmadge" and references the 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons, firmly identifying him as Major Benjamin Tallmadge (1754–1835), George Washington's chief intelligence officer and organizer of the legendary Culper Spy Ring.
The accompanying documents demonstrate John Tallmadge's repeated financial dealings with Benjamin Tallmadge during the final months of the war, while the 1786 endorsement illustrates how these claims were ultimately settled by the newly established United States government.
Condition
- Three original Revolutionary War manuscripts (one retaining its 1786 endorsement on the reverse)
- Original laid paper
- Strong iron-gall ink throughout
- Multiple original signatures
- Minor age toning and edge wear consistent with eighteenth-century manuscripts
- Excellent overall preservation
Collector Appeal
This is an unusually cohesive Revolutionary War archive combining:
- Direct references to Major Benjamin Tallmadge
- Documents from the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons
- Revolutionary War pay and clothing settlements
- Wagon bounty records
- Early United States Treasury accounting
- Signatures of Joseph Howell, Jr. and William Pierce
Unlike isolated pay receipts, these manuscripts preserve a documented sequence of military payment orders and their subsequent federal settlement, offering a rare glimpse into the financial administration of the Continental Army during the nation's transition from war to peace.
Archive of Three Revolutionary War Manuscripts Relating to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington's Intelligence Chief, 1783–1786
An exceptional archive of three original Revolutionary War manuscripts documenting the final settlement of Continental Army pay, clothing allowances, wagon bounty, and public securities during the closing months of the American Revolution. Two of the documents are signed by John Tallmadge, and all three most likely relate directly to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, commander of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons and George Washington's famed intelligence chief.
Together, the manuscripts trace the financial settlement of Revolutionary War service from the issuance of payment orders in 1783 through their official settlement by the United States government in 1786.
Document One
Litchfield, Connecticut – August 11, 1783
Addressed to Capt. William Planton, Paymaster, this order directs payment of fifteen pounds lawful money, earned as wages for 1782, to Benj. Tallmadge and another named individual.
The document is signed by Samuel Ware and witnessed by Stephen Downing and John Tallmadge.
The reverse bears an official federal endorsement dated New York, July 5, 1786, stating that 33 30/90 dollars of the order had been credited to the account of Elijah Farr upon settlement with the United States. It is signed by Joseph Howell, Jr., Commissioner of Army Accounts, and William Pierce, Revolutionary War officer, Constitutional Convention delegate, and Commissioner of Army Accounts.
Document Two
September 2, 1783
Addressed to Lieut. E. James, 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons, this manuscript instructs:
"Please to deliver Maj. Benj. Tallmadge all the public securities you may receive on my account..."
This document specifically identifies Major Benjamin Tallmadge and concerns the transfer of public securities issued in payment of military service, reflecting the Continental Congress's practice of compensating officers and soldiers with government certificates when specie was unavailable.
The receipt below acknowledges payment of the soldier's pay and clothing for 1783 and is signed by John Tallmadge.
Document Three
Litchfield – December 7, 1783
A payment order signed by John Tallmadge directing that his wagon bounty and clothing deficiency for 1783 be paid to Major Benjamin Tallmadge.
Orders concerning wagon bounty and clothing deficiencies are considerably less common than ordinary Revolutionary War pay receipts and provide important evidence of the final accounting process as the Continental Army was disbanded.
Historical Importance
These manuscripts document the closing chapter of the Revolutionary War through the financial administration of the Continental Army. Collectively they record:
- Final military wages
- Wagon bounty payments
- Clothing deficiency allowances
- Public securities issued in lieu of cash
- Authorization of payment to Major Benjamin Tallmadge
- Official federal settlement of Revolutionary War accounts in 1786
The September 2 document explicitly names "Maj. Benj. Tallmadge" and references the 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons, firmly identifying him as Major Benjamin Tallmadge (1754–1835), George Washington's chief intelligence officer and organizer of the legendary Culper Spy Ring.
The accompanying documents demonstrate John Tallmadge's repeated financial dealings with Benjamin Tallmadge during the final months of the war, while the 1786 endorsement illustrates how these claims were ultimately settled by the newly established United States government.
Condition
- Three original Revolutionary War manuscripts (one retaining its 1786 endorsement on the reverse)
- Original laid paper
- Strong iron-gall ink throughout
- Multiple original signatures
- Minor age toning and edge wear consistent with eighteenth-century manuscripts
- Excellent overall preservation
Collector Appeal
This is an unusually cohesive Revolutionary War archive combining:
- Direct references to Major Benjamin Tallmadge
- Documents from the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons
- Revolutionary War pay and clothing settlements
- Wagon bounty records
- Early United States Treasury accounting
- Signatures of Joseph Howell, Jr. and William Pierce
Unlike isolated pay receipts, these manuscripts preserve a documented sequence of military payment orders and their subsequent federal settlement, offering a rare glimpse into the financial administration of the Continental Army during the nation's transition from war to peace.
