Revere, Paul

Autograph letter signed ("Paul Revere"), one page (9 3/4 x 7 3/4 in.; 250 x 197 mm), Boston, 7 March 1810, to his son Joseph Warren Revere, chiefly regarding business matters; lightly toned. Mounted in a mat with a portrait of Paul Revere, glazed, and framed.

Goodspeed's (11 October 1968, no. 633)

Autograph letter signed ("Paul Revere"), one page (9 3/4 x 7 3/4 in.; 250 x 197 mm), Boston, 7 March 1810, to his son Joseph Warren Revere, chiefly regarding business matters; lightly toned. Mounted in a mat with a portrait of Paul Revere, glazed, and framed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Revere pens a letter to his son Joseph Warren, touching briefly on politics but chiefly on the family business and affairs. "Our political Horizon, is yet clouded; I very much fear that Macon's Bill which is now before Congress ... will not pass, without some Clog to it. Nothing but the fears of the New England States keeps them from entering into a War with England."  Macon's Bill  No. 1 was intended to attack British shipping, but was defeated.

This bill was revised and became law in May 1810. The law lifted all embargoes with Britain or France. If either one of the two countries ceased attacks upon American shipping, the United States would end trade with the other, unless that other country agreed to recognize the rights of the neutral American ships as well.

Revere then segues to business matters. "I expect Six & a half tons of Copper from Government, to manufacture, Mr. Johonnot says, it was shipped from Baltimore ... We have Six Ships in hand ... We have not been able to send any bolts to Baltimore, we have not had time to make them, but have sent Canon, upward of a ton." Joseph Warren Revere (1777–1868) was the co-founder of the Revere Copper Company in 1801 with his father. As evidenced from this letter, a substantial part of the foundry's business came from supplying shipyards with iron bolts and fittings for ship construction. By 1801, Revere had become the leader in the production of copper plating, opening North America's first copper mill south of Boston in Canton.

Revere closes with  family news: "The whole of our family are well, & all send a great deal of Love to you & John [Joseph's brother], who I hope you have seen before this. Lydia & little Helen [John's wife and one-year-old daughter] are exceedingly well, the little Urchin gives us a great deal of pleasure, she is very forward, & nearly goes alone. I have been quite Unwell this winter, but am much better. We begin to think it is most time to hear from you."  Scarce, only nine letters by Revere have come to auction since 1976.