#218 - Declaration of Independence: Richard Henry Lee
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On the founding of the Episcopal Church in America, and “the first Right of Mankind, to worship God according to their Consciences”
Description
Contemporary transcription of John Adams’ January 4, 1786, letter from London to Richard Henry Lee, noted by Lee to be “a true copy, Richard Henry Lee” of the letter “Addressed to the Honble Richard Henry Lee of Chantilly Virginia,” three sides of pages, 7.25 x 9. Adams’ letter to Lee reads, in part: “I wrote to the archbishop of Canterbury…and was answered very politely that he would be glad to have the honor of seeing me…I had the honor to be the Bearer to his Grace of a Letter from a Convention of Delegates from the Episcopal Churches in most of the southern States…I acted in no official Character, having no Instructions from Congress nor indeed from the Convention….”
In very good condition, with a few small separations along fragile intersecting folds, one horizontal fold bisecting one signature, mild toning, and light show-through from writing on opposing sides.
As part of the preparation, a committee was formed to contact the Church of England for help. To ensure proper delivery of the First General Convention’s request, John Adams, the US ambassador to Great Britain, delivered the request to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The offered correspondence here, an original copy of Adams’ letter identified by Lee as such, relates Adams’ role in the proceedings. The historical significance of this item cannot be understated—a document from the founding of the Episcopal Church in the USA that originates from Lee, who as president of the Continental Congress had offered his assurance that the bishops’ actions were proper from the government’s point of view. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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