Rufus King autograph letter signed ("Rufus King"). Two pages of a bifolium, 7.75" x 9.5", Jamaica, Long Island; November 24, 1812. Leading Federalist Rufus King criticizes an American general's actions in a defeat at the hands of British forces at the first battle of the war of 1812. Letter from King to an unidentified recipient in which he condemns the actions of American Brigadier General Alexander Smyth in the Battle of Queenston Heights, an American defeat at the hands of the British in the first major conflict of the War of 1812. The letter reads, in part: "...I ought sooner to have acknowledged the kind letter you afterwards wrote to me concerning the affair at Queenstown; while this contest has again evinced the natural bravery of our people; the failure, arising from the Refusal of the militia, exposes in the strongest light the folly of attempting to carry on an offensive war with forces, who, as a great proportion of the Country believe, are obliged to serve only in defensive war. I am not able to comprehend the Cause, which prevented Genl. Smyth's cooperation in the Descent—had his troops joined you in season, as they might have done, the success would have been certain—a late most extraordinary and unacceptable Act of this Officer would justify a suspicion that his Troops were purposely withheld. Having mentioned this act of Genl. Smyth, I cannot forbear to add, whether I regard the measure itself, the disgust in all parties which it must excite, or your own standing and Reputation, that it should in my opinion be left to the Contempt which it deserves, and so generally receives...Had others done their duty, the Result would have gratified good men, and mortified those, who are now at heart glad of the failure at Queenstown..." Signed, "Rufus King". The Battle of Queenston Heights took place on October 13, 1812, near Queenston, Canada (now Ontario), weeks before King's letter. It was the first major battle in the War of 1812. The battle was fought between U.S. regulars with New York militia forces, led by Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer, and British regulars, militia units, and Mohawk warriors. The American forces were unable to get a foothold on the Canadian side of the Niagara River, despite outnumbering the British, due to the reluctant and inexperienced militia and the enemy's superior artillery. The battle ended with an American surrender. King refers to General Smyth's refusal to support Van Rensselaer's attack in his letter. It is accompanied by a hand-colored steel engraving of King by Thomas Kelly, circa 1840. Rufus King (1755-1827) was a Massachusetts lawyer and politician. He served in the Continental Congress as a delegate for Massachusetts from 1784 to 1787 where he signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787. He then served in the Senate from 1789 to 1796 after its formation but resigned after President George Washington appointed King minister to Great Britain. Despite King's Federalist Party ties, the Democratic-Republican President Thomas Jefferson retained King's services after Jefferson's victory in the 1800 presidential election. King ran as the Federalist vice-presidential candidate in the 1804 and 1808 elections. He ran as the party's last presidential nominee during the 1816 presidential election. In 1813, King returned to the U.S. Senate and remained in office until 1825. President John Quincy Adams then appointed him minister to Great Britain once again in 1825, but he held the post for less than a year due to poor health. Condition: 2" separation along integral fold. Light scattered soiling and toning. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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