Military

From the collection of William Randolph Hearst—a handwritten letter from Benedict Arnold to Prime Minister Pitt, demanding money owed for wartime service in the West Indies

295. Benedict Arnold Autograph Letter Signed. ALS

signed “B. Arnold,” one page, 7.75 x 12.75, August [8], 1800. Handwritten retained draft of a letter to Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, demanding payment for his claims from the West Indies. In part: “Having had the honor of addressing you so late as the 13 May last on the subject of my claims on government for cash advanced for the Public Service in the Wt. Indies more than seven years ago: I had hoped from the sacrifices I have made and the services I have rendered to the Public, that some attention would have been thought due… Were my finances such that I could with justice to my family make a further sacrifice of this money to the public, I should not again trouble you.” Docketed on the reverse, “Copy to Mr. Pitt, Aug’t 8th.” In fine condition.

Provenance: Collection of William Randolph Hearst, ParkeBernet Galleries, November 16, 1938, lot 12. After spending several years in Canada, Arnold returned to England in 1791, but he left to spend several years privateering in the West Indies before permanently settling at Gloucester Place in London, from where he penned this letter. His work in the West Indies was dangerous due to the hostilities of the French Revolution, and was imprisoned by French authorities on Guadeloupe amid accusations of spying for the British. Arnold narrowly eluded hanging by escaping to the blockading British fleet after bribing his guards. He helped organize militia forces on British-held islands, receiving praise from the landowners for his efforts on their behalf. He hoped that this work would earn him wider respect and a new command; instead, it earned him and his sons a land-grant of 15,000 acres in Upper Canada. Plagued by debt and poor business decisions, he here reaches out to the British prime minister in hopes of receiving his pecuniary due. Starting Bid $1000

Bookseller Benedict Arnold sells an early edition of “Johnson’s Dictionary”

296. Benedict Arnold Autograph Document Signed. Major General in the Continental Army during the American Revolution who distinguished himself at Saratoga (1741-1801). One of Washington’s most skilled and able generals, he turned traitor in an infamous plot to turn over the fortress at West Point to the British. Third-person ADS, one page, 7.25 x 4, June–July 1773. Handwritten financial document by Benedict Arnold, headed “Dr. Mr. Silas Marsh to Benedict Arnold,” detailing money lent and interest paid, amounting to a total of £10.0.9. The most notable line item is “Johnson’s Dictionary, 2 Vols.,” sold for £1, evidently an early edition of Samuel Johnson’s influential Dictionary of the English Language. In fine condition, with a small hole to the right margin. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA.

Benedict Arnold had established himself as pharmacist and bookseller in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1762, and expanded his mercantile empire over the course of the decade—by the time he penned this document, he was a partner in multiple trading ships that conducted a lucrative West Indies trade. However, he also operated his business on the brink of insolvency and openly defied Parliamentary Acts levying unjust taxes—which led to his joining the infamous ‘Sons of Liberty’ in opposition. Starting Bid $500

297. Marquis de Lafayette Autograph

Letter Signed. ALS in French, signed “Lafayette,” one page, 6 x 4.25, February 5. Untranslated handwritten letter by the Marquis de Lafayette. Affixed to a larger sheet and in fine condition, with slightly clipped corner tips. Starting Bid $200

298. George A. Custer Signed Endorsement. De-

sirable Civil War–dated manuscript endorsement, signed “G. A. Custer,” on an off-white 3.25 x 2.25 slip, January 4, 1864. Brigadier General Custer approves and forwards a document from the headquarters of the 2nd US Cavalry. Mounted, double-matted, and framed with an engraved portrait (facsimile signature) and image to an overall size of 16 x 15. In fine condition. Starting Bid $300

Napoleon prepares to invade Russia, giving orders to recruit 120,000 soldiers

300. Napoleon Letter Signed. Signifi-

cant LS in French, signed “Np,” one page both sides, 7.25 x 9, January 24, 1812. Untranslated letter about the organization of his Grande Armée troops for the invasion of Russia, giving orders for the recruitment of 120,000 soldiers. In fine condition, with a thin old mounting strip along the back left edge.

By 1812, after decades of perpetual war, enlistment in the French army was severely diminished and left Napoleon struggling to fill his ranks. With conscription laws placing virtually every able-bodied Frenchman in the service of the army, desertion and evasion became a sweeping problem. As he prepared his campaign against Russia, the state began using mobile columns—temporary organizations of armed men—to locate and arrest the thousands avoiding recruitment. These draft-dodgers, combined with large numbers of troops drawn from conquered states, formed an uncommitted army that became a key factor in the disastrous invasion that followed. Starting Bid $300

Working draft outline for Napoleon’s memoirs, penned while exiled on Saint Helena

299. Napoleon Bonaparte Handwritten Manuscript. Rare handwritten manuscript in pencil by Napoleon Bonaparte, one page, 8 x 12.5, no date. A significant document prepared by Napoleon while living in exile at Longwood House on Saint Helena, regarding his proposed memoirs. Napoleon famously dictated his memoirs to Emmanuel, comte de Las Cases, who had accompanied him to Saint Helena and served as his secretary there. Las Cases published the admiring work under the title Le Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène (The Memorial of Saint Helena) in 1823. Here, Napoleon writes out what is essentially a working draft of a table of contents or outline for his memoirs in thirteen chapters.

The manuscript begins, “Ch. 1, 18 Brumaire,” referencing the French Republican calendar date of November 9, 1799, when the ‘Coup of 18 Brumaire’ brought General Napoleon Bonaparte to power as First Consul of France. The list goes on to mention the actions of the government in 1800, tasks of the legislative body in 1800–1801, finances in 1800–1801, the War in the Vendée, defense, armies, the preliminaries of Saint-Julien, Holland, Italy, negotiations for the return of peace in 1800–1801 (with reference to treaties signed at Lunéville and Amiens), and revolts of the populations in Italy, Holland, Switzerland, and Genoa. In very good to fine condition, with multiple horizontal folds, and small splits to the ends of the vertical fold.

In this extraordinary manuscript, Napoleon dismisses the early years of his life and concentrates on this decisive period of his career: just a few years, where he seizes power as First Consul in 1799 before rising to Emperor of the French in 1804. Napoleon had little else to do while exiled than to reflect on his triumphs, and this documents Napoleon’s own thoughts on the main steps of his rise to power. It is a critical manuscript that offers insight into Napoleon’s understanding of his life and career. Starting Bid $1000