READ, GEORGE | Autograph document headed "Pay of Regimental Officers to be inlisted during ye War," Philadelphia, 7 October 1776

Property from the Eric C. Caren Collection

READ, GEORGE

Autograph document headed "Pay of Regimental Officers to be inlisted during ye War," Philadelphia, 7 October 1776

1 page (12 1/2 x 8 in.; 318 x 203 mm), with signature ("Geo:Read") inlaid to lower right margin, docketed on verso "Tracts from Minutes of Congress 7th & 8th Oct."; lightly browned, fold separations mended on verso with tiny loss at intersecting holes. Housed in a black cloth portfolio. The consignor has independently obtained a letter of authenticity from PSA that will accompany the lot.

George Read outlines the reorganization of the Continental Army and Navy, following the loss of New York City to the British

The present document was likely prepared by Read, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, in order to convey Congress’s resolves to the state of Delaware. In it, Read sets out the proposed restructuring of the Continental Army, which was eventually passed by Congress between the 7th and 10th of October. The reorganization expanded the size of the Continental Army, ultimately meaning that it was no longer dependent on militia. In the document, Read lists the names of the commanding officers in the Continental Navy, including twenty-six ship captains (John Paul Jones being the most notable of these, who was then commanding the USS Providence, a 12-gun sloop), along with the name of the ship under each man's command.

PROVENANCE:

Christie's New York, 15 June 2017, lot 239