Letter to Colonel Edward Hand from Jasper Yeates
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: July 11, 1776
Place: Pennsylvania
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 7 1/4 x 6 3/16 in. (18.42 x 15.72 cm)
Credit line: Bequest of Harriett M. Leach
Topics: Covers & Letters
Description: This letter was sent to Colonel Edward Hand by Jasper Yeates during the American Revolutionary War. Writing on the front and back of a single page, Yeates shares strategical information with the Colonel, ranging from his position and future movements to financial matters. Early in the letter he mentions his upcoming journey, writing: "I go tomorrow to Fort Pitt, under the Appointment of a Commission for treating with the Indians in the 25th Instant." Despite the business attended to in the letter, the tone remains informal and Yeates takes time to mention both his wife and that of the Colonel.
Jasper Yeates was a lawyer from Pennsylvania, a strong Patriot who went on to be among the delegates who ratified the United States Constitution in 1787. Edward Hand was an Irish born medic who rose to the rank of Brigadier General during the siege of Yorktown. The two men knew each other from Lancaster, Pennsylvania where they had lived prior to the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
The Revolutionary Wars saw the beginnings of the American postal system. Originally operating alongside the British Royal Mail, William Goddard’s Newspaper carrier service effectively developed into the postal service of independent America. Despite problems with fraud, staffing and high expenditure, the postal service in those early years of the new state established the foundation of the U.S. postal system.
References
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. “Hand, Edward (1744 - 1802)”, http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000153 (Accessed July 25, 2011).
Fitzpatrick, John. C. “The Post Office of the Revolutionary War”. Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine vol. 362 (1922): 575-588.
Landis, Charles I et al. “Jasper Yeates and His Times”. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Bibliography vol. 46 (1922): 199-231. (http://www.jstor.org/stable/20086481)
Dr Hand
Lancaster July 11. 1796.
I am so much hurried that I can scarcely sit down for a moment. Jacky being set off immediately for Trenton, under the late Resolution of Congress respecting the Militia. I go to morrow to Fort Pitt, under the Appointment of a Commissioner for treating with the Indians on the 20 th instant. When I shall return, God only knows. — You may naturally suppose that Mr Yeates is much affected by these Arrangements. I have just wrote to Mr Hand proposing to Brother Burchard here as soon as possible. A variety of considerations have pressed me to this Step with which I flatter myself, you will acquiesce.
What shall the Committee do with your Sifers & Drummers? The Fife & Drum Majors will in all Probability soon leave this Town with the Militia. They will then be at liberty without receiving any Instruction. Indeed I have no Opinion of their learning much at any Time amongst us, unless under the Superintendence of some Superior, who would minutely examine into their Conduct.
Yours
Your Master has delivered part of the Stock for your Regiment, I think 500. The Rest are nearly finished.
I have paid him £3. on your account. When you write next pray mention in what manner they are to be conveyed to you, & how the Money shall be drawn for. The Man is very poor, & will be in immediate need of the Cash upon the Delivery of the Stock.
I have no Time to add more. Remember us to John loving. Farewell. God Bless you.
Yrs Affectionately
J Yeates
Jasper Yeates July 17 th 1746