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Auction: 313 - Numismatic Collector's Series - Ft. Worth, TX
Lot: 1504

War of 1812: John Cotton Smith Governor of Connecticut (1765-1845, served 1812-17), the last Federalist to hold that post. A choice group of his autographs, all as governor, from the War of 1812, all concerning Gen Nathaniel Terry, commander of the state militia. Includes partly engraved DS, October 18, 1813, on vellum, naming Terry "Brigadier General Commandant" of the state´s militia corps. With silk ribbon bearing state seal. Crisp folds, VG. With ALS, 1 page, 4to, March 25, 1813, giving Terry, as "Major Commandant of the first company of Foot Guards" his authoriziation to recruit men from other companies so long as he does not deplete their ranks. Split cleanly at one fold. With ALS, Hartford, June 3, 1813, on Terry´s resignation as commander of the Governor´s Foot-Guards, enclosing "an order to lead the company to the choice of a commandant in your stead..." With ALS, 1 page, Sharon, April 29, 1814, explaining that "the orders you thought proper to issue to Major Stanley...were very prudent and entirely approved...I readily impart to you as Commandant of the STATE CORPS the like powers...in calling out troops on a sudden emergency...." Save as noted, VG. As a New England Federalist, Gov Smith was not an enthusiastic supporter of the war against the United Kingdom, especially given the region´s dependence on British trade. [4]

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$625