Cornwallis, The British Officer Who Surrender at the Siege of Yorktown

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/28/2022

CORNWALLIS, Charles 1st Marquees Cornwallis (1738-1805) British Army officer and colonial administrator. Cornwallis' surrender at the Siege of Yorktown brought about the end of significant hostilities in North America during the American Revolution. Autograph Letter Signed, 8" x 12 ¼". "Cornwallis." Two pages, Culford. February 10th 1804. To Charles Philip Yorke (1764-1834) British politician who served as Home Secretary from 1803-1804. Cornwallis writes: "Sir I have received the honor of your letter (circular) dated the 1st instant; In answer to which I have in the first place to observe that Mr. Wright, as Clerk of the Lieutenancy of the Tower Hamlets has received no money on account of Bounties for Substitutes in the Army of Reserve. The Money retained by him from the Bounties of men enrolled for the Militia, has been invariably transmitted to the Paymasters of the Regiments, conformably to the directions of the Act of Parliament. By the Return which I have received of the deficiency of the Tower Hamlets for the Army of the Reserve, dated in the beginning of the present month, it amounted to fifty five men only, out of eight hundred men, the quota allotted by the Act of the 43rd … Cap. 82 Sec 2 for the Tower Hamlets and Liberty of the Tower, and not as your letter states, 'included in the County of Middlesex and London. The Parishes of St George Bethnal Green and Christ Church have engaged to enroll twenty men on this day, so that the Deficiency at the present moment amounts to thirty nine men, which I trust, you will consider as proof that the district under my charge has not been wasting in point of execution in the present most important … conjuncture of Public Affairs, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, Cornwallis"A few slight tears. Mounting tape present at left edge of first page. One slight mounting strip on second page. Very Fine. $1,200-$1,600

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