New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-29
,NnRE LETTER SOLD.
,p. Morgan Pays $4,000 for Relic
3 american Revolution.

...-ra, has tust purchased an
J. PERU Titan BY Major John Andre,
suiosI .o-victed and shot as spy IN fSeVoiu-
who was 60 so- $1,000. This is said to be a
toh~.' - for an autograph letter. the letter
TsoO.o . q one Of the well known Phllaoelphia
bss pee" - many wears, and was obtained re-
oolieo''.- l-.o-re D. Smith. a dealer in rare
oe1N - manuscripts. He offered II TO MT
BOOM nm lost no tine in taking what Is con-
MOTE -. most important Andre letter now
See ,,s q coveted relic OF the American
,-,tsr is the first one Of importance written
4., - andre in the course OF his correspond
-- a, BENEDICT Arnold for carrying out their
- ,,aoe West Point IN the possession OF
,-s+,sh The letter. under date Of September
.-co r-ss addressed 20 Colonel Sheldon then
. -.r,-rsnd OF a detachment OF cavalry sta
y u. m the east side OF the Hudson. to be
- N Benedict Arnold's hands, and signed
sroAn Anderson"
-ss Arnold's wish that Andre, disguised as
= Anderson. a bearer OF intelligence from
- York. should meet him az a cavalry out
.. b--wesn Salem and North Castle. on the
=. hsnl, Of the Hudson, and he Informed Shell
-. as commander, that he hoped 10 encounter
y .,,s manner q valuable euissary. OF this
.rarA was Informed, but IL was no part OF
- Sc, 70 enter the American lines in dis
To- and SO much OF the arrangement as con-
..-,,lated his doing was at once thrown
-. On the strength OF Arnold's letter, how
= n. wrote 10 Sheldon that he would come
.s,h 3 flag to the American outpost The letter
follows:
New York. the eth Sept. 1880.
81 49, +cls nv name is made known 70 you and
~. .' friend near your OUtposts I will en-
sssToUr 70 obtain permission 70 go out with nag
" ~ Scr Al . O'Clock when ! shall be happy 10
-. M C Should not be allowed % 90.
-. oesosr who is 20 command the Escort between
,ssra and myself no distinction need be made can
e. el ne entreat you Sir TO favour matter so
.-.s-es+ing 10 the parties concerned and which IS
y 81 private a Nature that the publick on neither
Ee -. Ssn bs happy on nv part in doing any act Of
s,-tness 70 you in family or (sic) property con-
''T1 ,g d shan not be detained, hut should any
al rrudge be cause for Il ] shall rather risk
,la- tban neglect the business IN question or
s--1s = mysterious character 10 carry on limo
ssrt affair and as friends have advs'd get 10 your
H'' y an Sir with all regard
Your most obedt hum SeTvt
JOHN ANDERSON.
The record price for an original manuscript,
a. far as known. IS $500 This was paid for
Sketches Of Young Gentlemen" written by
Charles Dickens in 1885, AT the sale by auction
:, the Everett J Wendell collection last year
ne price paid for the Andre letter by Afr. Nor
gan takes precedence over this. however, IN the
opirion Of those interested IN relics Of this
kind An original prologue, written by Major
andre was sold AT the Thomas J. Mckee sale
tor s. 10. fifteen chapters OF the original
manuscript q "BracabridCe Hall" by Washing
Tor Irving brought Sl315 ar auction; a letter
written by George Washington 70 Benjamin
Harrison was bought last year for 81 065: five
leaves OF the manuscript OF 'Tamerlane," by
Edgar Ans Poe were sold for SS01, while one
page q the last annual message Of Abraham
lincoln changed hands for $3.50