MAJOR GENERAL HENRY DEARBORN - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 07/01/1800 - HFSID 283522

GENERAL HENRY DEARBORN
Henry Dearborn wrote and signed these general orders regarding the purchase of rations for Colonel Henry Burbeck in 1800, one year before he was named President Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of War. This letter is from the papers of Burbeck, a veteran of key Revolutionary War battles.
Autograph letter signed "H.Dearbom". 1 page, 7¾x9¾, 1 sheet folded, docketed on verso. War Department, July 1, 1800. Addressed to Colonel Henry Burbeck. In full: "Sir, I have to request that you will please to issue the following in General orders to every Officer Commanding a Military post of Garrison. General Orders Every Officer commanding a Military post or Garrison, is directed never to order the purchase of rations or parts of rations without giving previous notice to the Contractor, or his Agent that unless he procures the necessary articles within a given time, which should be a reasonable one, that purchases will be ordered by the Command-ing officer: and when any such purchases are made, they should be on the lowest terms for which the articles can be obtained. I am very respectfully, Sir, your Ob. Servt.". This letter is from the papers of HENRY BURBECK (1754-1848), a veteran of key battles of the Revolutionary War. He was chief of the Artillery Corps when he received these orders. Promoted to Brigadier General, he commanded the Connecticut State Militia during the War of 1812. HENRY DEARBORN (1751-1829) served in the Revolutionary War and was a colonel on General George Washington's staff at Yorktown (1781). A U. S. Representative from Massachusetts (4th District 1793-1795, 1st District 1795 to 1797), Dearborn was President Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of War (1801-1809). President James Madison appointed him in 1809 to replace Benjamin Lincoln as thesecond Collector of the Port of Boston, but left that position to fight as a major general in the War of 1812. Lightly toned and creased. Stained on verso and above date on face. Portion of seal remains as well as hole from opening the document. Folded twice vertically and four times horizontally. Otherwise in fine condition.