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Esek Hopkins Commander Continental Navy Engraving Don’t Tread On Me & Liberty Tree - An appeal to God.

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c. 1776 Revolutionary War Period, Engraved Portrait of Esek Hopkins, First Commander In Chief of the American Continental Navy, engraved by Dupin sculp., Paris, Very Fine.

This bold half-length Engraved Portrait of Revolutionary War Naval Officer Esek Hopkins, depicts him in his American Naval uniform, shown with Two Revolutionary War Patriot Revolutionary War Flags below. The two Flags reading: “Don’t Tread On Me” and “Liberty tree - An appeal to God.” This engraving is Signed, “Dupin” who was a noted French engraver. A handsome Portrait of Esek Hopkins is printed on heavy period rag paper measuring 7.5” x 5.25”. The engraving is well printed with traces of faint soiling, prior display mounting and surface wear, with paper reinforcements remaining on the blank reverse margin edges. A rarely encountered contemporary c. 1776 engraved portrait of this American Revolutionary War Naval hero.

Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II
Esek Hopkins (1718-1802) was an American naval officer. He went to sea at 20, becoming an able seaman and trader. Marriage into a wealthy family put him at the head of a large merchant fleet prior to the French and Indian War (1754-1763). His privateering during that conflict added to his fortune and his naval reputation. In 1775 he was appointed the first Commander In Chief of the Continental Navy. When ordered to attack the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay, he sailed instead for the Bahamas, where he captured the British outpost at New Providence. He returned to Rhode Island, where the fleet became largely inactive. An investigation by Congress in 1776 led to his censure for disobedience. The navy fleet’s continuing inactivity led to his suspension from command in 1777 and dismissal the following year.
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