Knox, Henry, as Secretary of War

Letter signed ("HKnox"), 1 1/4 pages, bifolium (12 3/4 x 8 in; 325 x 200 mm), New York, 1 August 1786, to Colonel William Barton, being a letter of conveyance for a presentation sword recognizing his capture of Major General Richard Prescott and his aide-de-camp in July 1777 in accordance with a resolve of Congress; outer leaves silked, centerfold strengthened, losses to margin on second leaf extended, some discoloration along fold tears and verso of second leaf. Together with: Letter signed ("Wm Barton"), 1 1/4 pages (11 3/4 x 7 1/8 in.; 305 x 180 mm), Providence, 10 August 1786, to Henry Knox, being a copy of Barton's note of thanks for the gift of the sword; discoloration, one repair and one tear along left margin, three short fold separations. Folding grey cloth case, tan morocco spine lettered gilt.  

A fair exchange. Colonel William Barton's valor and temerity in the capture of Major General Richard Prescott and his aide-de-camp is finally recognized by Congress nine years later with a handsome presentation sword. In the early hours of 10 July 1777 Barton and some forty of his men captured the British commandant of the Newport garrison at his summer home. They took the general, who was the British commander for Rhode Island, and his aide-de-camp directly onboard a Patriot vessel, without even giving them the opportunity to dress. Prescott was the only British officer who suffered the ignominy of being captured twice.  He had been seized in 1775 and subsequently exchanged for General Sullivan. In 1777, the humiliated Prescott was held in Providence until the British commander in chief, General Sir William Howe, exchanged him for captured American Major General Charles Lee. The exchange was particularly appropriate, as General Lee had also been taken into custody in his dressing gown after being surprised in the morning hours at Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where he had spent the night at White's Tavern enjoying some dubious recreation.