Adam's The History Sale Tuesday 24th April 2018

51 The History Sale 77 THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE THE PETITION: A POEM, wrote at NewYork in December last, addressed to His Excellency General SirWilliam Howe, Single sheet folio, printed on one side, in two columns (previously folded), c.1777, 375 x 232mm Heading paragraph captioned ‘The Editor states this “Jeu d’Espirit” has circulated in manuscript copies through the American army; and is “too good to be con- fined to the mere circle of his (the author’s) acquaintance” and “that its fame has reached this country” Howe is praised: “ Well knowing the valour and conduct which lead us/ and how soon we follow,when you are to lead us/Long Island, NewYork and GreatWashington’s Fort.” The Americans are denigrated: “Their famed constitiution- their dernier resort” “Their fring’d rifle warriors,how we did scorn/as a parcel of rags set on posts in the corn!” “But now we’ve such stocks of them coop’d up in jail/The whole congress money,coud not be their bai l.” Married for 18 months, twelve of them away in the army, his young wife, through stress, lost their child.With the analogy of war he describes to the General how this will be rectified, if his request for home leave be granted. “ In order to open manly attack- “When we meet face to face we shall soon come to battle - “And then I know how to gain full satisfaction “As the body’s drive back in the heart of the action! “I’ve a breach and a breast-work, then next to subdue “With a close cover’d way,and a sap to make too “All round the deep ditch, there’s chevauz de frize” “At Flat Bush * there’s not such a cluster of trees- “I’ve tools to entrench with,and make my approaches- “I’ll not ask grenadiers or light infantry there “For the motions can’t flank it,as brave as they’re “Nor army dragoons on my plan enlarge *A Pass on long Island, attacked the 27th of August SirWilliam Howe, succeeded as 5thViscount in the Irish peerage, appointed commander-in-chief, North America 1775 and recalled 1778, married Frances, 4th daughter ofWilliam Connolly of Castletown and Lady AnneWentworth € 1,000 - 1,500