Deane, Silas

11 lines visible plus 3 1/2 pages in invisible ink (9 x 7 1/4 in.; 228 x 184 mm), Bordeaux, 11 June 1776, docketed by John Jay; formerly folded with long tears in folds mended with tape, portion in invisible ink now heavily stained brown and while shadows of writing are barely visible in ultraviolet light, it is now largely illegible, lower outer corner of first leaf torn away.

L. Bendikson, "The Restoration of Obliterated Passages and of Secret Writing in Diplomatic Missives," The Franco-American Review, 1 (1937), p. 15

formerly folded with long tears in folded mended with tape, portion in invisible ink now heavily stained brown and while shadows of writing are barely visible in ultraviolet light, it is now largely illegible, lower outer corner of first leaf torn away.
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.

A fine example of Revolutionary War espionage.

In March 1776, Congress selected Deane to go to France in the guise of a merchant, authorized to buy colonial produce with money furnished by Congress, sell it abroad, and invest the proceeds in military supplies the colonies needed. This was to be done with the utmost secrecy as France and England were nominally at peace.

This is one of several letters Deane wrote at the time with several lines of innocent family news, and extensive passages written in an invisible ink invented by John Jay's brother Sir James Jay, a physician in England. When the letters were received a solution was applied, and the letters filed without fixative, and so the invisible letters disappeared almost completely. Ultraviolet light was applied in 1937 to all of these letters and partial transcriptions made (published in The Franco American Review, see below, a copy of which is included with this lot).

Deane informs Jay: "I have wrote you by Capt. Palmer of Portsmouth and by them letters to Mr. [Robert] Morris on the subject of remittances here on the subject of American commerce ... I also wrote Messrs. Alsob & Company, my brother & Mrs. Deane on family affairs ... Orders are this day rec'd from Court to purchase 40000 wt of gun powder & all the sail cloth for use of fleet at Toulon & Brest ... The French ministry was last week suddenly changed. Monsr Maurepas is at the head, & Monsr Clugny Intendant of this city ... The revenue of this Kingdom is as deeply interested in the American Tobacco as that of G. Britain, and they already [...] it both scarce and dear — nor can they be supplyed but from America. This city appears sensible of the importance of American commerce & wish to promote it by every means in their power, by which I have obtained letters for persons of note & eminence at court & in Paris."

"23d June — The memorial I referred to has been favorably rec'd by the minister and his Majesty has ordered that American vessels shall for the present be treated as all other foreigners are ... The general disposition here appears in favor of America and to assist them as far as possibly, & nothing has been wanting in those I have applied to, but they have rendered me every service in their power. But I am cautioned of relying too far on the professions of so volatile and polite a people, and keep by me the old maxim, that interest never lies as a scale to weigh their real worth."

"I have appeared only as a private merchant, but it has been reported, & I frequently hear that an agent from the Congress is in town & sometimes that he is gone to Paris, etc. I mention this as a mark of the expectations of the people which in general is on the same key with their wishes. The English ambassador is apprehensive of such a measure & I expect it will require great care to elude his enquiry. The letters I have obtained from hence to Court are given to me generally on the ground of mercantile views and not on any grounds whatever was suspected of any other business."