25

James Warren.

Letter negotiating the supply of cordage for the Continental Navy.

Boston, 16 July 1778
Autograph Letter Signed as "JWarren" as a member of the Naval Board of the Continental Army, to John Langdon. One page, 13 x 8 inches, with docketing on verso; partial separation along bottom fold, otherwise minor wear.

James Warren (1726-1808) was an important Boston patriot; he earned the rank of general as a paymaster for the Continental Army in its earliest years, and was the president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. His wife Mercy Otis Warren was an important pamphleteer for the cause. This letter was written to New Hampshire patriot John Langdon (1741-1819), who had served in the Continental Congress, outfitted Continental naval vessels, and later signed the Constitution. This letter arranges Langdon's visit to Boston on Navy Board business, trying to coordinate with fellow board member John Deshon's next visit to Boston. In full: 

"We received yours of the 13th & find it is your intention to be here the middle of next week. I would wish it might, if convenient to you, be early in the week, as I must if possible be absent a few days after the middle of the next week, having been in town a long time. Mr. [William] Vernon's apprehension of the small pox prevents us from having the advantage of his assistance, Mr. [John] Deshon is at present absent but expected daily, & it will be necessary that two of us should be present on such business. I hope nothing will take place to prevent Mr. Deshon's return, & occasion a disappointment to you. With regard to cordage, I can't say certainly, but I think a sufficiency of it may be purchased here at £24 pr cwt [hundredweight]. If it is not necessary to return it immediately, we shall soon be able to ascertain what you may depend on. I am Sir, your most obed't humble serv't, J. Warren.

PS. If it be in your power without much trouble to procure me a quintal of choice fish for my own table, you will much oblige me."

Provenance: Remember When Auctions, 18 July 1998, lot 201; published in 2019 in Naval Records of the American Revolution, Volume XIII, page 400-401; Cowan's Auction 19 November 2020, lot 10.

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