Washington war letters are put up for auction

[emad]

Times
By Dalya Alberge



IMPORTANT correspondence between George Washington and an English-born soldier of fortune, which chronicles some of the battles that paved the way to a new democracy, has come on the open market for the first time in 230 years.

The eight letters refer to several momentous events, including the British evacuation of Boston, a successful campaign in Charleston and the aftermath of the Battle of White Plains.

As most of the correspondence between the men is held by institutions, this offering provides an unprecedented opportunity for collectors. It is expected to fetch up to $800,000 (£430,000) at Sotheby’s in New York on January 22. Washington, as the new commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, was writing to Charles Lee, a trusted general officer on whom he relied.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,170-1443486,00.html