Jonathan Trumbull autograph letter signed ("Jonth. Trumbull") as Governor of Connecticut. One page of a bifolium, 8" x 13", Lebanon, [Connecticut], [March] 25, 1777. Addressed to "Brigadier General [Alexander] McDougall". Address leaf with public service frank. Docketed by McDougall. The first Governor of Connecticut sends reinforcements to the besieged Brigadier General McDougall in New Jersey. American patriot and politician Jonathan Trumbull Sr. (1710-1785) was the first Connecticut governor to serve in a true executive capacity. A close friend and advisor to George Washington, Trumbull gave his all to the American cause, going so far as to personally supply food, clothing, shoes, and munitions for the Continental Army. Once the headquarters for his mercantile business, Trumbull's store in Lebanon became a meeting place for the Connecticut Council of Safety that assisted him (1775-1783) and was referred to as "the War Office." During the Revolution, Governor Trumbull and the Council of Safety held more than eleven hundred meetings there. Here, Trumbull writes to McDougall after receiving word on the 23rd of a British raid on Peekskill, New York, where the general was stationed. Peekskill was a crucial yet lightly manned supply depot, and the governor informs McDougall that he has ordered a detachment of Connecticut militia move to reinforce him. It reads, in full: "I this afternoon received a Letter from Mr. Hughs Deputy Quarter Master General advising that the Enemy had landed a little below Pecks Kill and the untoward Situation you are in Consequence thrown into. I had before ordered a Detachment of Two Thousand Men from our Militia to be formed into three Battalions and march to Pecks Kill under the Command of Brigadier General Erastus Wolcott. Upon Receipt for Mr. Hughs' Letter I have wrote him (Genl. Wolcott) to expedite the march of his Detachment, especially from the Western Regiments, and to go on to Pecks Kill himself as soon as he can. I flatter myself these Troops will soon be with you, and hope you may be able to maintain the passes of the Mountain' till they arrive." Signed, "Jonth. Trumbull." Approximately 500 British troops took part in the raid. They quickly forced McDougall and his small contingent of militia to retreat to the nearby Fort Hill, the latter burning their barracks as they went to prevent their falling into British hands. Because of their overwhelming numbers, the British were largely unchallenged on the 23rd and succeeded in destroying multiple storehouses, mills, and residential homes in short order. However, McDougall was quickly reinforced by men from the nearby Fort Independence under the command of Lt. Col. Marinus Willet (and presumably Brig. Gen. Wolcott) and chased the British from the site a few days later. The letter is accompanied by an engraving of Trumbull by O. Pelton. It was based on the 1783 painting by his son, the famous Revolutionary artist, Col. John Trumbull, known as the "Painter of the American Revolution." Condition: Small area of paper loss from seal removal upon opening. Light scattered soiling and toning. Later notation in blue ink to address leaf. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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