20 lines, in ink, on 1st page of 4-page lettersheet folded to form an envelope, addressed & docketed on p.4, with red wax seal. 13x8.
Horatio Gates (1728-1806), general in the Revolutionary War, was at this time president of the Board of War, and was suggested by some to be an able replacement for George Washington. He writes to Israel Pemberton, a Quaker, one of the wealthiest merchants of his day, who had been imprisoned in September, 1777, for refusing to give an oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and he and 19 others had been transferred to Winchester, Virginia, where the letter is addressed. "Sir, Your letter of the 10th inst. was laid before the Board. The Resolution of Congress enclosed has been for some time past transmitted to the Executive Council of this State. The Board waited for a considerable time for an Application from the Council as the Gentlemen Prisoners at Winchester were to be delivered over to them at their order, but not receiving such Application an order on Mr. Holmes was sent to them that they might transmit it by such person as they thought proper to find to Winchester for the purpose of attending the Gentlemen to Lancaster. The Council will no doubt speedily (if they have not already done it) take measures for carrying the Resolution of Congress into immediate Execution. The Board have complied with their Duty upon the occasion & have no more in their Power but will be happy on every future occasion as far as their authority extends to attend you & every Gentleman in your situation every necessary Assistance. I am with Respect, Your very obd. Servant, Horatio Gates, president." Pemberton was released the month this letter was written, but his health was undermined by the imprisonment, and he died one year later. For another document pertaining to this affair, see Lot 71 in this auction. Provenance: A West Coast institution.