LETTER SIGNED BY BUTTON GWINNETT, BOUGHT FOR
$51,000
His wife, who was watching his catalogue over his shoulder, and who could hardly contain herself any longer, exclaimed, “My, Doctor R is going strong to-night. Why, that letter which just sold for $1650 you bought from him only a little while ago for $360. I feel like laughing out loud.”
“If you do,” her husband threatened, “I’ll take you by the hair, drag you outside, and strangle you!” At this his wife was quiescent for a few minutes. The prices were still mounting. She then wrote on a card which she passed to Mr. G——: “I can smile, can’t I?”
“That goes for smiling, too,” replied her husband.
About five years ago I was especially interested in all material relating to Paul Revere and his celebrated ride. In the midst of my researches a gentleman called upon me one day and showed me a series of volumes which contained most important papers relating to the Revolutionary period. On looking through them I was amazed to run across the following outstanding document, which is dated Cambridge, April 29, 1775, ten days after Revere’s famous exploit. It is as follows:—
This may certify that the bearer Mr. Paul Revere is a messenger to the Committee of Safety and that all dispatch and assistance be given him in all instances that the business of the Collony may be facilitated.
Jos. Warren, Chairn
Poor General Warren, who signed Revere’s commission as messenger, was killed a few weeks later at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Although I freely admit that this letter belongs in the archives of New England, you may be sure I keep it well within my reach. I don’t care to have those doughty New England historians, such as Dr. Charles L. Nichols, Clarence S. Brigham, George Parker Winship, and Lawrence C. Wroth, come pouncing down as a mighty host and demand it of me.