c. 1777 GEORGE WASHINGTON Autograph Address Free Frank Transmittal Cover Signed, G. Washington

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Early American History Auctions - December 20...

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Dec 20, 2025

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199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com

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• Lot Description
  Autographs
  George Washington Autograph Address Free Frank Transmittal Cover Signed "G. Washington" endorsed to be "On Public Service" to Brigadier General Smallwood with its original Red Wax Seal of George Washington Fully Intact
  GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799). First American President, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, President of the Constitutional Convention, and farmer; through these roles, Washington exemplified character and leadership for the future presidents of the United States.
  c. 1777 Revolutionary War Period, Autograph Address Sheet Signed, "G. Washington," endorsed by him to be sent "On Public Service," with its Original Red Wax Personal Seal of George Washington fully intact on the panel below, addressed to "Brigadier General (William) Smallwood", Very Fine. This exceptional, high quality Autograph Address Transmittal Cover is Signed, "G. Washington" at lower left, to endorse at upper right "On Public Service" and addressed to: "Brig(adier) General Smallwood, Charles County." All text is handwritten in rich brown ink on quality laid period paper having the watermark of "C. TAYLOR" as the paper maker. Personally Signed, "G. Washington" at lower left, his signature measuring a very large near 3" long. The transmittal folds perfectly center the handwritten text and signature. The folds also show that this cover was actually sent.
  The sheet of "C. TAYLOR" made laid paper appears intact, having been folded to seal the letter of content within (not present), with minor traces of the red wax seal having been opened to expose the contents.
  The extraordinary, exceedingly rare original Red Wax Seal of George Washington remains fully intact, exactly positioned located on the back center of the folded transmittal cover. When spread opened, exposing the top and bottom flaps, the Wax Seal is located 1" below the face side and it appears perfectly centered. This Revolutionary War cover was obviously carefully opened to preserve its originality when received by General Smallwood. Its quality and completeness is superior to most other such covers. Its choice condition perhaps due to the short distance it traversed. The paper is quite clean and the face free of major defects, only having some faint soiling and wear as shown and a 1" x 4" portion of the lower left blank corner panel removed apparently to allow the Seal to more easily attach and not break. The Red Wax Washington Seal remains sharp and clear in detail with some virtually invisible hairline cracks, so that the central shield and three stars and other devices are shown. The paper torn from the top portion is retained beneath the Seal, most likely purposefully opened in that manner to knowingly preserve the prestigious Seal of George Washington.
  At upper right appears the official postal Free Frank endorsement, "On Public Service," the recognition that conveyed official government correspondence sent without postage during the American Revolution, while Commanding General George Washington himself signs at lower left, "G. Washington" to authorize the franking. Surviving American Revolutionary War George Washington Free Frank Covers as Commanding General to his named field commanders are by far much scarcer than his later Presidential franks and are sought after by Revolutionary War, Autograph, and early Maryland history collectors alike.
  An Oil Painting of General William Smallwood by artist Charles Willson Peale from (1781-2) is hung on display in the Independence Hall Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. General William Smallwood was an influential figure in the American Revolutionary War and made significant contributions to the cause of American independence. Born in Maryland in 1732, Smallwood began his military career by serving in the French and Indian War, gaining valuable experience in combat and leadership. During the Revolutionary War, Smallwood played a crucial role in the Continental Army, rising through the ranks and eventually becoming a Brigadier General.
  Smallwood's most notable contribution came during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776, where he commanded the Maryland Line. Despite being heavily outnumbered and facing overwhelming odds, Smallwood's disciplined and skilled leadership enabled his troops to launch a successful rearguard action, allowing the Continental Army to escape and avoid a catastrophic defeat. This action earned him praise and recognition for his tactical prowess and bravery.
  Smallwood continued to serve throughout the Revolutionary War, participating in key battles such as Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. In addition to his military career, Smallwood also had a notable political impact. He served as a Member of the Continental Congress, and later became the Governor of Maryland. As governor, he implemented reforms and policies that helped stabilize the state and support the war effort. After the war, Smallwood retired to his estate, where he lived until his death in 1792. A noted important figure in the history of the Revolutionary War.
  Provenance Ex: Phil Snyder, Cohasco, Inc. cover letter dated 25 March, 1975; Accompanied by reference items; Xerox of partial reference, "THE SPIRIT OF THE REVOLUTION" pages 270 and 271, by John C. Fitzpatrick, A.M., Assistant Chief, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1924; Reference Xerox from "THE PRICE OF NATIONHOOD / The American Revolution In Charles County" by Jean B. Lee, 1994.
  We ship what we sell.
  According to the specialised research documentation in the reference, "THE SPIRIT OF THE REVOLUTION" pages 270 and 271, by John C. Fitzpatrick, A.M., Assistant Chief, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1924, Washington's Motto: "Exitus acta probat" The larger Seal with the crest and arms is minus the motto and shows a palm to the left, which is not seen in Washington's Engraved Bookplate ... yet exactly a presented in the Red Wax Seal used on this cover. The illustration of period Wax Seals displays this exact design for George Washington's Seal, illustrated on page (272) with an added facsimile signature of Washington's shown below. This Seal is absolutely genuine, being in choice condition, exactly as described and illustrated. An exceedingly rare fully intact Seal, complete, on its original Free Frank transmittal cover.
  It is reasonable to speculate that the actual original contents of this transmittal cover from George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, was likely in response to a letter from Smallwood sent to General Washington. According to "Founder's Online/National Archives" the following letter was indeed sent by General Washington, in response to a preceding letter received from General Smallwood. Both the reponse from Washongton, likely contained in this cover, and Smallwood's preceeding letter to General Washington are prvided below.
  References See: "Brigadier General William Smallwood to George Washington, 24 April 1777," Founders Online, National Archives: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-09-02-0245.
  [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 9, 28 March 1777 " 10 June 1777, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1999, pp. 261"263.]
  George Washington's Letter in response reads, in full:
  "To Brigadier General William Smallwood --- Head Quarters Morris Town / 3rd May 1777.
  Sir --
  Your favour of 24th of April I received Yesterday, with the arrangements &ca inclosed. It is with concern I understand, that the recruiting Service has been so materially injured by the ineffectual Measures fallen upon by your Legislature and the removal and resignation of Officers.
  Until the Regiments, or at least a Majority of them join us, it will not be in my power to fix the Rank referred to me; when that happens I shall do my endeavour to render them satisfaction, by settling it according to the best information I can obtain of their former Rank and pretensions.
  As soon as the 500 Men, which you mention, are got over Inoculation and that you can see them on their March, it is my desire that you proceed to Head Quarters, taking care that you leave an Officer or two of Influence and Diligence to superintend the recruiting, and forward the Men, as fast as they are in a Condition to join their respective Corps.
  The Resolve of Congress says, that the weakest Regiment is to remain in your State for its internal Safety; you will therefore attend to this and give orders accordingly.
  I am confident that it is unnecessary to remind you of the necessity there is, to use every argument with the Officers which may serve to call forth their utmost exertions in the recruiting Service. I cannot avoid mentioning to you, that I am informed that Dissipation and Gaming are very prevalent in many parts of the Country, to the great Injury of the Service, and that instances are not wanting of Officers drawing Sums of Money, intended as a Bounty to recruits, which they have squandered away in this shameful manner. I do not pretend to charge any particular set of Officers or Regiment with this pernicious vice, and shall soon issue orders, which I think must effectually eradicate it amongst Gentlemen in the Military Line, at least for the present. I am Sir, -- Yours &ca --- (Signed) G. Washington".
  ----
  (Brigadier General William Smallwood to George Washington, 24 April 1777):
  "From Brigadier General William Smallwood --- Annapolis April 24th 1777
  Sir,
  On my arrival here at Christmas I found the Regular & flying Camp Officers in general much disgusted by the Appointments of the Commissioners, in which indeed there were irregula[ri]ties and Improprieties which no established Mode cou'd justify, many being below, others promoted above their Rank, & many more not appointed at all; which induced me, as the Appointments were incompleat, to make out & hand in to the Council of Safety a Roster General of the Rank of Officers in each Corps (a Copy of which is inclosed) urging the Necessity of the Appointments and Arrangement being immediately compleated, to facilitate & forward the recruiting Service to the utmost Extent"but in this as well as other Instances, where Power is delegated to Numbers, and in every Instance their Approbation must be obtained, Measures are generally under Consideration, whilst they should be in Execution
  The Council judging their Powers incompetent to make the Appointments, called the Assembly to meet for this Purpose, where this Important Business has hung ever since 'till very lately, when they handed in a list of the Appointments with the Arrangement to Governor Johnson, fraught with the same Impropriety as was in the first Instance complained of, which occasioned many to resign, who have been since prevailed on to reasume their Commissions, upon the Rank being referred to your Excellency"thus has the recruiting Service been retarded, the Officers being in suspence & not knowing in what Regiments or Rank they stood, have not acted with that Alacrity and Vigor which the Service required & wch they otherways might have done nor were the People here inclinable to enroll 'till those Points coud be ascertained.
  Colonel Gist and myself by Order of Congress were sent on a very disagreeable Expedition to the eastern Shore, to quel an Insurrection of the Tories in Somerset and Worcester Counties, which tho attended with no difficulty or risque, detained us little less than two Months, in pursuance of inforcing & executing a Proclamation issued by the general Assembly of this State, granting an Indulgence of 40 Days for the Insurgents and others disaffected to avail themselves of the Benefit thereof, which perhaps might have answered better purposes had the Limitation only extended to Ten Days.
  Every Letter of yours has given the strongest Impressions of the Expidiency of speedy and vigorous Exertions, nor has the favorable Opportunity (had you've been reinforced far below what might have been expected) of striking a deep Stroke escaped unnoticed"yet I sincerely Lament these Considerations have not had their proper Weight"such have been the tardy & fluctuating Measures adopted by our Legislature respecting Military Operations, that I can truly say, 'tho I have been here four Months (and in that Time only five Days at Home) I have not had it in Power to render any Material Service to the Continent, owing to these Embarrassments & the want of Cloathing, not more than 1000 Men of the Quota of this State have been marched agreeable to your Requisitions, & there remains about 500 under Inoculation who are in a favorable way & will be detached as soon as their Situation will admit, with what Recruits can be raised, & I flatter myself our Affairs will shortly wear a more favorable Aspect, from the train they will be put in under Governor Johnsons Administration.
  The Assembly have passed an Act to promote the recruiting Service, & to collect Blankets (for the Soldiery) from the Inhabitants of this State, which I hope will contribute to forward our Quota"I have inclosed for your perusal, the Arrangement & Rank rendered by the Assembly"also an Additional Roster of those who have been Advanced to Vacancies by the Governor & Council, with the Arrangement as it at present stands, & Colonel Richardsons Letter & Return; the Commissions are not yet made out otherways shou'd have inclosed a List with the Dates &ca.
  I shou'd be glad to be favored with your Excellencys further Commands respecting my repairing immediately to Camp, or remaining here to forward & proceed with the Next Division.
  I have the Honor to be, with sincere Regard, -- Yr Excellencys most Obedt Hble Servt --- (Signed) W. Smallwood".
  KEYWORDS:
  American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe, Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs, General Smallwood, Maryland history
  
  
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