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Lot description
Revolutionary War New York, NY, June 5, 1783 Revolutionary War-Dated ALS Attesting to Qualities of Master of Continental Navy Sloop Ranger Once Commanded by John Paul Jones ALS Revolutionary War. Autograph Letter Signed, "Hennery Gardner," 1p, on laid paper measuring 7.25" x 5.25", New York, June 5, 1783. To Josiah Watson, Esq. Blank verso. Flattened folds with separation and small loss. Foxing and toning. Minor ink splatter. Chipping to edges with a half-inch closed tear at right margin. Pencil notations from prior collector at upper right corner. In near very good condition. Gardner attests to the qualities of the master of a privateer, in full: "This will be handed you by Mr. Thos. Perkins who some time past commanded the Ranger - I think is a very honnest man and during the time he commanded the Ranger behaved extremely well and to my satisfaction. And it is not on account of anything I have to aledge against him that he don't command the Ranger now - But as I allways made it a rule when the master left the vessel to give her to the mate so I thought I was in home bound to give Capt. Peabody the preference - If I had a vessel I don't know of any young man that I would sooner give her too than Mr. Perkins - and if you can be of any service to him in this way or any other you will." The Navy Sloop Ranger was an 18-gun Continental Navy ship commanded by Captain John Paul Jones (1747-1792) during the American Revolutionary War, launched in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on May 10, 1777. With the Ranger, Jones famously raided the coast of England, captured the British sloop-of-war HMS Drake in the first British warship captured by the Continental Navy, and achieved recognition for his daring tactics. The ship was named after the initial "R" for Revolution. By 1783, she had completed her service in the Continental Navy and was no longer active. This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses. WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.