Books and Manuscripts

Wilkinson, James
Manuscript Letter
Near Letarts Falls (likely present day Ohio/West Virginia border), November 10, 1784, 8 oClock P.M. One sheet folded to make four pages, 9 x 7 1/8 in. (229 x 181 mm). Three-page letter by General James Wilkinson, to his brother-in-law, Clement Biddle, while at "the little falls...250 miles from Pitts Burgh, 30 above the great Kanawa & about 185 from Lime Stone," recounting his trip on the Ohio River en route to his new home in Lexington, Kentucky, and referring to meetings with General George Rogers Clark, and others. Creasing from contemporary folds, separation along lower fold of integral sheet. This is potentially a contemporary copy.

Together with:

Wilkinson, James
Autograph Letter, signed
Kentucky, July 16, 1785. One sheet folded to make four pages, 13 1/8 x 8 in. (333 x 203 mm). Three-page autograph letter, signed by Wilkinson, to Clement Biddle, lamenting the long time since they last corresponded, recounting his opinion on the news of the passage of the Ordinance of 1785, "I have just rec'd from Richmond the...terms of Congress for the disposal of their Lands, the scheme is puerile & capricious--the projections (?) seem to have been governed by a narrow spirit of jealousy which will disappoint the public expectations...", and updating him on matters relating to land speculation in the Ohio Country. Creasing from contemporary folds, small separations along same; loss along fore-edge of integral leaf, just touching some letters.

Together with:

Biddle, Clement
Autograph Letter, initialed
Philad(elphia), June 19, 1788. One sheet folded to make four pages, 9 1/8 x 7 1/2 in. (232 x 190 mm). Two-page autograph letter, initialed by Biddle, to Wilkinson, apprising him of the ongoing state ratification conventions for the United States Constitution, "All is (prepared?) for the decision of the Convention of Virginia & tho' it is generally believed that a majority are in favor of the Constitution the friends of it are not without dread of an Adjournment--The Conventions of New Hampshire & New York both met the 17th inst:--It is now supposed that a majority in the former will be in favour of it but in the latter a large majority against the adoption, but all seems to depend on Virginia & you will know their decision probably before this reaches you..." and updating him on the arrival of ships from New Orleans, and other matters relating to land, and their family; addressed by Biddle on integral leaf, docketed to same. Creasing from contemporary folds; loss opposite seal on integral leaf from when opened.

New Hampshire ratified the Constitution on June 22, just three days following this letter. They were the ninth state to do so, and the final one needed to reach a majority of states to make it the law of the land.

General James Wilkinson (1757-1825) was an American soldier and politician, and infamous double-agent for the Spanish Crown. In November 1778 he married Ann Biddle (1742-1807), sister of Pennsylvania soldier and associate of George Washington, Clement Biddle. Following the American Revolution Wilkinson moved to Kentucky, then a part of Virginia, acting as a representative of the merchant firm, Barclay, Moylan & Co., and became a prominent politician and vocal supporter for Kentucky statehood. Clement, his older brother, Owen, and their brother-in-law, James Hutchinson, all owned sizable land grants on the Kentucky frontier.

Passed down within the Biddle family and never before offered for sale.