SOLD Washington Acts to Send Munitions to the Northern Army Defending New York, Writes Robert Living

The seat of the renowned Livingston family, Manor Livingston, was a vast estate near Albany. On the estate were a foundry and iron mines. When the Revolution broke out, these were placed at the disposal of the New York Committee of Safety and the Continental Army.

Robert Livingston was a member of the Continental Congress, and proved instrumental in negotiating the peace treaty with Great Britain in 1783. In 1803, he led the negotiations that procured the Louisiana Territory for the United States. Richard Varick was then secretary to Gen. Schuyler, and on August 3, 1776, wrote on the General’s behalf to George Washington, saying “I do myself the honor to enclose you three lists of articles wanted for the publick service on Lake ChamplainÉAn express is also sent to the forges and furnaces at Livingston’s Manor and Salisbury to procure the swivels and grape, double headed and chain shotÉI am directed by the General to request your Excellency, in his name, to order the several articles which are wanting to be sent up with all possible dispatch to this placeÉ” This letter of Livingston constitutes Washington’s reply.

Autograph Letter Signed, Manor Livingston, 5 September 1776, to Varick. “Am now sending you what grape & double headed Shott was ready cast, & come down from the works; these grape are very difficult to make & cause an infinite deal of trouble. Shall however get as many made as possible; it’s also difficut to make the bar Shott, more so than the round. Shall keep my hands steady at it, & make all we can, & have them brought down as soon as a load is ready. Suppose you may send one, or two, batoes [small boats] on Monday next, by which time expect to have 2 ton down.”

Varick’s docket is on the verso. There is some paper loss and repairs on the verso as well.