2021-02 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2021
MCHENRY, James, (1753-1816), Signer of the US Constitution from Maryland, secretary of war under Washington and Adams, and the namesake of Fort McHenry. Manuscript speech signed "James McHenry, Secy. of War," three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 13, February 7, 1799. Manuscript headed "Speech of the Secretary of War to George Colbert a Chickasaw Chief," in part: "I have to inform you, that when any Indian Chief or great Warrior comes on business from his nation to the seat of Government, at the desire of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs or person having power to authorize the Journey, it has always been the practice to bear the expences of the said Chief or Warrior to and from the seat of Government...The fifty dollars, which you mention, was given to you to be disposed of at your pleasure, and might have been applied to meet or satisfy any demands against you of a private nature...Colonel Mentges has been directed to procure certain articles of dress for your wife and a piece of Callico for her to take home, I hope what she will receive will remove all cause of Jealousy from her mind. You may assure her that the President has been well pleased to see her at the seat of Government...It is out of my power...to allow any thing whatever to your Brother for his Negro, which he represents to have been killed by the Creeks. The Congress have made no provision to meet such cases, or to compensate the people of the respective red nations for losses, they may sustain by depredations from each other...It is by no means the intention of the President to countenance any intrusions on the land belonging to your nation." Repaired separations to horizontal folds, a small area of repaired paper loss to the edge of the last page, and show-through from writing to opposing sides, otherwise fine condition. George Colbert was the son of James Logan Colbert, a Scots trader who took three Chickasaw wives. The Scotsman's several sons were among the most important tribal leaders of their time, and George, in particular, proved a valuable American ally during the War of 1812. In 1799, Chief Colbert travelled from his home near Tupelo, Mississippi, for an audience with the President. In the present address, McHenry responds to some accounting questions the Chief had raised.
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