{"product_id":"1783-1786-archive-of-three-revolutionary-war-manuscripts-relating-to-major-benjamin-tallmadge-george-washingtons-intelligence-chief","title":"1783–1786 Archive of Three Revolutionary War Manuscripts Relating to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington's Intelligence Chief","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"343\" data-start=\"203\" data-section-id=\"l884sn\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"343\" data-start=\"205\"\u003eArchive of Three Revolutionary War Manuscripts Relating to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington's Intelligence Chief, 1783–1786\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"804\" data-start=\"345\"\u003eAn exceptional archive of \u003cstrong data-end=\"419\" data-start=\"371\"\u003ethree original Revolutionary War manuscripts\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cstrong data-end=\"642\" data-start=\"624\"\u003eJohn Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e, and all three most likely relate directly to \u003cstrong data-end=\"705\" data-start=\"677\"\u003eMajor Benjamin Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e, commander of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons and George Washington's famed intelligence chief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1010\" data-start=\"806\"\u003eTogether, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1015\" data-start=\"1012\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"1032\" data-start=\"1017\" data-section-id=\"7n9sj2\"\u003eDocument One\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1079\" data-start=\"1034\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1079\" data-start=\"1034\"\u003eLitchfield, Connecticut – August 11, 1783\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1273\" data-start=\"1081\"\u003eAddressed to \u003cstrong data-end=\"1130\" data-start=\"1094\"\u003eCapt. William Planton, Paymaster\u003c\/strong\u003e, this order directs payment of \u003cstrong data-end=\"1193\" data-start=\"1162\"\u003efifteen pounds lawful money\u003c\/strong\u003e, earned as wages for 1782, to \u003cstrong data-end=\"1243\" data-start=\"1224\"\u003eBenj. Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e and another named individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1377\" data-start=\"1275\"\u003eThe document is signed by \u003cstrong data-end=\"1316\" data-start=\"1301\"\u003eSamuel Ware\u003c\/strong\u003e and witnessed by \u003cstrong data-end=\"1353\" data-start=\"1334\"\u003eStephen Downing\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-end=\"1376\" data-start=\"1358\"\u003eJohn Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1790\" data-start=\"1379\"\u003eThe reverse bears an official federal endorsement dated \u003cstrong data-end=\"1461\" data-start=\"1435\"\u003eNew York, July 5, 1786\u003c\/strong\u003e, stating that \u003cstrong data-end=\"1496\" data-start=\"1476\"\u003e33 30\/90 dollars\u003c\/strong\u003e of the order had been credited to the account of Elijah Farr upon settlement with the United States. It is signed by \u003cstrong data-end=\"1636\" data-start=\"1614\"\u003eJoseph Howell, Jr.\u003c\/strong\u003e, Commissioner of Army Accounts, and \u003cstrong data-end=\"1691\" data-start=\"1673\"\u003eWilliam Pierce\u003c\/strong\u003e, Revolutionary War officer, Constitutional Convention delegate, and Commissioner of Army Accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1795\" data-start=\"1792\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"1812\" data-start=\"1797\" data-section-id=\"7nab5y\"\u003eDocument Two\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1835\" data-start=\"1814\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1835\" data-start=\"1814\"\u003eSeptember 2, 1783\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1926\" data-start=\"1837\"\u003eAddressed to \u003cstrong data-end=\"1898\" data-start=\"1850\"\u003eLieut. E. James, 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons\u003c\/strong\u003e, this manuscript instructs:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-end=\"2031\" data-start=\"1928\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2031\" data-start=\"1930\"\u003e\"\u003cem data-end=\"2030\" data-start=\"1931\"\u003ePlease to deliver Maj. Benj. Tallmadge all the public securities you may receive on my account...\u003c\/em\u003e\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2332\" data-start=\"2033\"\u003eThis document specifically identifies \u003cstrong data-end=\"2099\" data-start=\"2071\"\u003eMajor Benjamin Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e and concerns the transfer of \u003cstrong data-end=\"2150\" data-start=\"2129\"\u003epublic securities\u003c\/strong\u003e issued in payment of military service, reflecting the Continental Congress's practice of compensating officers and soldiers with government certificates when specie was unavailable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2456\" data-start=\"2334\"\u003eThe receipt below acknowledges payment of the soldier's \u003cstrong data-end=\"2419\" data-start=\"2390\"\u003epay and clothing for 1783\u003c\/strong\u003e and is signed by \u003cstrong data-end=\"2455\" data-start=\"2437\"\u003eJohn Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2461\" data-start=\"2458\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2480\" data-start=\"2463\" data-section-id=\"gt3ef8\"\u003eDocument Three\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2515\" data-start=\"2482\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2515\" data-start=\"2482\"\u003eLitchfield – December 7, 1783\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2675\" data-start=\"2517\"\u003eA payment order signed by \u003cstrong data-end=\"2561\" data-start=\"2543\"\u003eJohn Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e directing that his \u003cstrong data-end=\"2597\" data-start=\"2581\"\u003ewagon bounty\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-end=\"2634\" data-start=\"2602\"\u003eclothing deficiency for 1783\u003c\/strong\u003e be paid to \u003cstrong data-end=\"2674\" data-start=\"2646\"\u003eMajor Benjamin Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2909\" data-start=\"2677\"\u003eOrders 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2914\" data-start=\"2911\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2940\" data-start=\"2916\" data-section-id=\"1353kst\"\u003eHistorical Importance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3101\" data-start=\"2942\"\u003eThese manuscripts document the closing chapter of the Revolutionary War through the financial administration of the Continental Army. Collectively they record:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3348\" data-start=\"3103\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3125\" data-start=\"3103\" data-section-id=\"151e16k\"\u003eFinal military wages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3149\" data-start=\"3126\" data-section-id=\"1mo1coa\"\u003eWagon bounty payments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3182\" data-start=\"3150\" data-section-id=\"n4d2g2\"\u003eClothing deficiency allowances\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3225\" data-start=\"3183\" data-section-id=\"17jppmu\"\u003ePublic securities issued in lieu of cash\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3280\" data-start=\"3226\" data-section-id=\"r7cphz\"\u003eAuthorization of payment to Major Benjamin Tallmadge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3348\" data-start=\"3281\" data-section-id=\"1nuabl4\"\u003eOfficial federal settlement of Revolutionary War accounts in 1786\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3637\" data-start=\"3350\"\u003eThe September 2 document explicitly names \u003cstrong data-end=\"3418\" data-start=\"3392\"\u003e\"Maj. Benj. Tallmadge\"\u003c\/strong\u003e and references the \u003cstrong data-end=\"3469\" data-start=\"3438\"\u003e2nd Regiment Light Dragoons\u003c\/strong\u003e, firmly identifying him as \u003cstrong data-end=\"3537\" data-start=\"3497\"\u003eMajor Benjamin Tallmadge (1754–1835)\u003c\/strong\u003e, George Washington's chief intelligence officer and organizer of the legendary \u003cstrong data-end=\"3636\" data-start=\"3617\"\u003eCulper Spy Ring\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3913\" data-start=\"3639\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"3918\" data-start=\"3915\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"3932\" data-start=\"3920\" data-section-id=\"hrykuu\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"4232\" data-start=\"3934\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4032\" data-start=\"3934\" data-section-id=\"kczyt5\"\u003eThree original Revolutionary War manuscripts (one retaining its 1786 endorsement on the reverse)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4054\" data-start=\"4033\" data-section-id=\"1lis3mv\"\u003eOriginal laid paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4088\" data-start=\"4055\" data-section-id=\"1aspkkz\"\u003eStrong iron-gall ink throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4119\" data-start=\"4089\" data-section-id=\"80g7bq\"\u003eMultiple original signatures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4199\" data-start=\"4120\" data-section-id=\"1jce5k3\"\u003eMinor age toning and edge wear consistent with eighteenth-century manuscripts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4232\" data-start=\"4200\" data-section-id=\"1d2miej\"\u003eExcellent overall preservation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"4237\" data-start=\"4234\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"4258\" data-start=\"4239\" data-section-id=\"1h4fgz3\"\u003eCollector Appeal\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4326\" data-start=\"4260\"\u003eThis is an unusually cohesive Revolutionary War archive combining:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"4611\" data-start=\"4328\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4379\" data-start=\"4328\" data-section-id=\"1h8wyq2\"\u003eDirect references to \u003cstrong data-end=\"4379\" data-start=\"4351\"\u003eMajor Benjamin Tallmadge\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4435\" data-start=\"4380\" data-section-id=\"1dsxoxf\"\u003eDocuments from the \u003cstrong data-end=\"4435\" data-start=\"4401\"\u003e2nd Continental Light Dragoons\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4484\" data-start=\"4436\" data-section-id=\"wk898\"\u003eRevolutionary War pay and clothing settlements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4507\" data-start=\"4485\" data-section-id=\"16jl8cd\"\u003eWagon bounty records\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4549\" data-start=\"4508\" data-section-id=\"1erhdza\"\u003eEarly United States Treasury accounting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4611\" data-start=\"4550\" data-section-id=\"1hof8p6\"\u003eSignatures of \u003cstrong data-end=\"4588\" data-start=\"4566\"\u003eJoseph Howell, Jr.\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-end=\"4611\" data-start=\"4593\"\u003eWilliam Pierce\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4891\" data-start=\"4613\"\u003eUnlike 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52510754636058,"sku":null,"price":12820.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_1521.jpg?v=1784150234","url":"https:\/\/princetonaudubonprints.com\/en-ca\/products\/1783-1786-archive-of-three-revolutionary-war-manuscripts-relating-to-major-benjamin-tallmadge-george-washingtons-intelligence-chief","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}