Patrick Henry autograph letter signed three times ("P. Henry"). Two pages on one leaf, 6.25" x 7.25", L[ong] Island [plantation], [Virginia]; July 4, 1794. Patrick Henry writes his daughter concerning their title to lands in the Carolinas. Letter, signed three times by Henry, is addressed to his eldest child, daughter Martha "Patsey" Henry Fontaine (1755-1818), concerning title to family lands in the Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Beneath Henry's three signatures there is additional writing concerning this matter in an unidentified hand. The letter reads, in part: "My Dear Patsey. Coln. Fontaine was here a few days past on purpose to fall on some...Method for obtaining Titles to the Lands in the lower part of Carolina about Pasquotank. He has sold his part to Govr. Lee & wishes to obtain the Patent directly. He claims 6 or 8000 acres & says viz. Brother Billy knows it is his proper quantity. I know nothing about it. He is to insist on the Governor to send out a Messenger to settle it finally, & wishes you to join in a Power to some person to take out a Patent for the Quantity due him, your self & me. As to mine, the Quantity ought to be 1500 acres in the Pasquotank survey & 1000 in the survey made by Mr. Fontaine. I think you ought to inspect your papers & see what is the Quantity due to you & to send a writing in which you express viz. our willingness to take out Patents for that Quantity for the Heirs of Jno. Fontaine decd. Armistead Burwell is the person proposed to go after the Patents...If the Patents are made out, there will be a Delay in the Division, because a Court of Chancery must do it..." Martha "Patsey "Henry, the oldest child of Patrick Henry and his first wife Sarah Shelton (1738-1775), married Colonel John Smith Fontaine (1750-1792) in October 1773. Their oldest son was Colonel Patrick Henry Fontaine (1775-1852), who is referred at the beginning of this letter. In 1790, Patrick Henry found himself in debt and turned to the practice of law and land speculation. He devoted his last years to land speculation, particularly in North Carolina, where he owned approximately 27,000 acres of land. This letter to his daughter relates to land holdings in North Carolina. The letter is accompanied by an engraved vignette portrait of Henry by D. Appleton & Co. Patrick Henry (1736-1799) was a key participant in the founding of America and one of the Revolution's most renowned orators. Born in Virginia to a Scottish-born planter, Henry tried his hand at several livelihoods before he ultimately chose to study British and colonial law. After induction to the Virginia bar, Henry rapidly tackled cases and became known for his passionate and persuasive speeches. He was just 29, mere days into his service in the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, when he delivered a key speech attacking the Stamp Act, firmly establishing his name in the wider realm of politics and revolution. He is often credited as uttering the immortal words, "give me liberty or give me death" at the Second Virginia Convention in March 1775, but in the style of a truly skilled and knowledgeable orator, Henry did not write his speeches in advance and surviving records are reconstructed from memory. Henry went on to serve in the Continental Congress, though he did not sign the document for want of a Bill of Rights, and then as Virginia's first Governor 1776-1779 and again in 1784-1786. Condition: Silked on recto. Previous separations along horizontal folds since repaired; one crosses signature. Professional repairs along edges to previous loss, some text affected. Light scattered soiling. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,001 and $3,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $3,000,001 per lot.