Major Roger Morris

Lot 374 October 30th, 1759 Soldier’s Letter from Québec City, written by then Major Roger Morris, who served for the Louisbourg Grenadiers, a special corps made up of the Grenadiers of the 22nd, 40th and 45th Regiments during General James Wolfe’s invasion of French Québec, where he participated in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. In the letter, Morris writes about difficulties in communications, and the fact that he is “apprehensive” that he may not get an answer “…before the River is shut up.”. He goes on to say that General “Monckton sailed for New York yesterday” (Monckton was relieved of his duties at Québec on 26 October 1759 and was reassigned to New York for convalescence). This letter, Morris explains, was carried by Col. (Richard) Gridley, who has “promised to deliver it”, etc. Morris later retired from the British army in 1764 and settled in New York City. In 1765 he built a huge mansion in Manhattan (still there) and during the American Revolution, he left for England (left his wife and children behind) and lent his mansion to General George Washington, who used it as his temporary headquarters. A note on the back reads in part “Rec’d Col. Gridley / Nov 20 1759”. An important historical document. Estimate C$500, sold for C$6,400.00 plys 17% buyer’s premium.