11. Arnold, Benedict. Revolutionary War-date autograph letter signed (“Bt Arnold Br Genl”), 1 page (6.5 x 8.25 in.; 165 x 210 mm.), Swansey [Mass.], 20 March 1777, to “Capn Asa Waterman Dy Commy Genl.” Scattered light soiling. Expertly infilled with a few missing letters and words (bold signature and majority of text not affected), mended, and reinforced.

Seething from his non-promotion and threatening to resign, Brigadier General Benedict Arnold orders booze – with letter from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., later Washington’s aide-de-camp, ordering Limestone from the Commissary.

U.S. Brigadier General Benedict Arnold writes Capt. Asa Waterman, Deputy Commissary General. In July 1775, three months after the start of the war, the Continental Congress named a Commissary General of Stores and Provisions for the Army of the United Colonies. Capt. Waterman (1743-1789) was one of the deputy commissary generals during the entire war (1775-1783) and was responsible for providing food and supplies to the troops. Throughout the majority of the war, Capt. Waterman was stationed in Rhode Island and was responsible for procuring staples (flour, beef, salt, molasses, etc.) from Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Arnold writes in full: You are hereby Ordered to make Strict Inquiry, & Search for W[es]t. India Rum, Spirits, & Molasses in the States, of Massachusetts Bay, or Rhode Island, & Apply to Such Persons as you find have such articles on hand, and Purchase One hundred hogsheads Rum, & Spirits & One hundred Hhds Mollasses. If any Person having the Above Articles bargain to sell the same for the Use of the Army, you Are to marke such goods where they are Deposited for the Use of the Army, forbid their being removed & make an imediate return to me of the Same for which this shall be your Sufficient Warrant. Given Under my hand at Swansey March 20th 1777- Bt Arnold Br Genl.

On February 19, 1777, Congress promoted six officers to the rank of Major General. Brigadier General Benedict Arnold was not one of them. On March 11th, Arnold wrote to Gen. George Washington, in part, “Congress have doubtless a right of promoting those, whom, from their abilities, their long and arduous services, they esteem most deserving. Their promoting junior officers to the rank Major-General, I view as a very civil way of requesting my resignation, as unqualified for the office I hold…” Six days after ordering, in the letter here offered, West India Rum, Spirits, and Molasses for his army, on March 26th, Arnold wrote again to Washington, in part, “In my last, I intimated to your Excellency the impossibility of my remaining in a disgraceful situation in the army. My being superseded must be viewed as an implicit impeachment of my character. I therefore requested a court of inquiry into my conduct. I believe the time is near at hand, when I can leave this department without any damage to the public interest. When that is the case, I will wait on your Excellency, not doubting my request will be granted, and that I shall be able to acquit myself of every charge malice or envy can bring against me...”

On 3 April 1777, Washington replied to both letters, having “this day favoured with yours of the 26th. Last Month and a few days ago with that of the 11th. It is needless for me to say much upon a Subject, which must undoubtedly give you a good deal of uneasiness. I confess I was surprised, when I did not see your name in the list of Major Generals, and was so fully of opinion that there was some mistake in the matter, that I (as you may recollect) desired you not to take any hasty Step, before the intention of Congress was fully known … As no particular charge is alledged against you, I do not see upon what ground you can demand a Court of inquiry…” Washington explains that he has learned that since members of Congress from each state insisted upon having a proportion of general officers “and that as Connecticut had already two Major Generals, it was their full share. I confess this is a strange mode of reasoning, but it may serve to show you, that the promotion which was due to your Seniority, was not overlooked for want of Merit in you…”


Together with:

Trumbull, Jonathan Jr. Autograph letter signed (“Jona Trumbull Junr”) as Paymaster General of the Northern Department, 1 page (7 x 9.5 in.; 178 x 241 mm.), Lebanon [Connecticut], 21 March 1777 [one day after Arnold’s letter]. Addressed on verso to “Capt Asa Waterman, Comissary, Providence.” On watermarked laid paper, trimmed. Soiled and infilled.

Trumbull writes in full: “I will be much obliged if you can procure me One H[ogs]h[ea]d of good Stone Lime & send it to Norwich pr some Return Team as soon as you have Opportunity. The Expence shall be repaid to yiou or your Order on Sight – please to inform whether to be had & what Opportunity sent by – I am Sir Your most Humble Servant Jona Trumbull Junr.”

Trumbull served in the Continental Army as Paymaster General of the Northern Department from 1775-1778. He was Aide-de-Camp to General George Washington from 1781-1783. Trumbull later served as Speaker of the House (1791-1793) and Governor of Connecticut (1797-1809). $4,000 - $6,000