Auction details
8:00 AM PT - Sep 20th, 2008
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American Revolution
"I have no knowledge that Col. Worthington or any other gentleman (producing a proper pass) hath ever been molested in passing any of my guards..." 1777, Dr. John Ely, Connecticut Patriot Captured in 1777, Asks for an Honorable Discharge, Very Good. 1777 Autograph Copy of a Letter Sent "To His Excellency" the Governor of Connecticut, by Dr. John Ely, Saybrook, CT, one page, 12" x 8.25". Retained copy docketed in the hand of Connecticut Revolutionary hero. Ely requests an honorable discharge after dealing with what appears to be some military shenanigans. Handwriting is light, paper is heavily dampstained, with small holes at folds. Still, a most unusual and interesting Revolutionary War item. Concerned with the behavior of his superiors and private and petty "bickerings", Ely writes an emotional missive penned in the heat of the Revolutionary War. He provides the worrisome details encountered, the standards of officers and guards giving clearances to pass to Colonel Worthington and others, and the commander's complaint how his regiment is subject to "capricious humor and dishonorable control." He requests to be let go, honorably: "May it please your Excellency, Received your Excellency's favor of the 5th. I note the contents and as it is my duty so it shall ever be my utmost purpose to execute the commands of my superiors consistent with the trusts of my constituents, the good of my Country, the confidence of my superiors and the honor of my office, nor shall any party or petty differences (sic) or private bickerings ever in the least stand in the way of executing my publick trusts, except they inevitably stand in contrast with my office and duty. Sensable (sic) of the great burden of your Excellency's Publick and important concerns (I) must beg your Excellency's pardon for the trouble of this, which I should not, the principal part of my last passed unnoticed of waved, on which (1) beg to be more explicit, I return your Excellency, thanks for the honor conferred on me in yours of ye 2nd, as an experienced officer. I have ever endeavoured a faithful discharge of my duty and have (for ought I know) steered clear of publick censure and am sorry if these of my command have not. As to my officers and guards at Saybrook, so far as I have been made acquainted (they) have been faithful in their duty and (I) know not that they are justly censured. I have no knowledge that Col. Worthington or any other gentleman (producing a proper pass) hath ever been molested in passing any of my guards. Without which (the pass) it is not supposable he or any other gentleman can be known to My different guards, and without which boats or vessels may not with safety to our posts and guards or even this state, be suffered to pass, nor I myself able to answer for those consequences that may insue. Although with the utmost readiness and pleasure I will obey and execute (as far as is in ay power) every order of my superiors in due subordination, so long as continued in my command, yet if any regiment must be subject to the uncontrollable command of the capricious humor of an individual who is of a different department and I myself subject to be less a commander without a command, (I) must stand in most disagreeable light unable to answer the just expectations of any constituents, without the confidence of any superiors, and unable to support the honor of my office and if subjected to this dishonorable control must (the with reluctance) beg your Excellency to give me an honorable discharge." DR. JOHN ELY (1737-1800), Captain in the 6th Connecticut regiment, (raised a regiment at his own expense); 1775, promoted major, 1776, and was colonel of the 4th battalion, 1777, when captured at Long Island. He was not exchanged until 1780, and during that time acted as physician to the smallpox patients on Long Island. ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images: 
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