James Duane Writes of George Washington & The Treaty of Peace in 1783

3pp of a bifolium, measuring 6.25" x 8", Princeton, dated July 29, 1783. Signed "Jas. Duane" and addressed to his wife, Mary "Polly" Duane, who was staying at her father, Robert Livingston's Manor. Col. Livingston had also been Duane's guardian after his father passed away in 1747. Duane provides insightful details of the anxious state of the American people who awaited official news of the Treaty of Paris. The letter reads in full:

"I wrote, my dearest Polly, to the address of General Washington, on my arrival at this town. I then mentioned to you some circumstances expecting the definitive Treaty of Peace: We have further evidence of its being signed but none official, so as to render it certain. I have, however, no doubt in my own mind that the event has taken place: and wait impatiently for an arrival from Europe. Here we have no news. Whether Congress will hold their sessions at this town or remove elsewhere is a question I cannot ascertain. The citizens of Philadelphia are anxious for our Return from an apprehension that it will be a Reproach to them, if it should be abandoned under the idea that there is not Strength or Inclination to keep the peace so that Government may perform its Duties without interruption. Other states are making large offers for securing the advantages of our permanent Residence: it is impossible to judge how this business will be decided. I begin to long to hear from you my dearest Polly and the children. I have good accommodations in the same House with my agreeable friend Mr. Peters: tell our dear Polly that Mr. Peters & the family are well. She sends me word that she will write to you soon.

P.S. Last week I paid a visit to Brother Robert and tho' I was there but one evening I had the pleasure of seeing your sister abroad in the evening & before bed time delivered of a fine son."

The letter has usual flattened mail sold and light toning throughout, with a bold signature by Duane. Spots of soiling and foxing throughout. Paper loss from the wax seal and at the edges - missing the lower half of the third page and address page. Else good.

The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, in Paris, France, by representatives of the United States and Great Britain, and brought an official end to the American Revolutionary War. It had been drafted nearly one year prior, on November 30, 1782, after long negotiations between Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Henry Laurens, and John Adams for the U.S., and David Hartley and Richard Oswald for Great Britain. The treaty officially recognized the United States as its own independent country and granted the U.S. sizeable parts of land in the western territory. Negotiations were slowed by the fact that Britain also had to negotiate separate treaties with France, Spain, and the Netherlands. It is no wonder, though, why the citizens of America were anxious to hear news of the signing and the end of the war.

Duane's letter also mentions Congress's move from Philadelphia to Princeton, New Jersey, which had taken place just one month earlier. The relocation was caused by the "Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783", when a group of approximately 400 Continental soldiers stormed the State House, demanding payment for their service in the war. Messages from the disgruntled soldiers had previously been ignored by Congress, and the hostilities led to Congress members fleeing to Nassau Hall in Princeton on June 21, 1783. This would become the provisional capital until November 4, 1783. Congress would move to Annapolis, Trenton, and New York City before finally returning to Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

James Duane (1733-1797) was a New York attorney and American Revolution leader. He served as a delegate at both the First and Second Continental Congresses and signed both the Continental Association and the Articles of Confederation.
After the war, Duane became the 44th Mayor of New York (1784-1789) and also served as a New York State Senator from 1782-1785 and 1788-1790.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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