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Table of Contents > Historic Autographs > Lot 43 |
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Browse the Auction in Groups of 25 Lots: |
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Lot Number: 43
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $6,000 - $8,000 |
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1779 Continental Congress President “John Jay” Signed Vellum Commission Appointing Captain Bartholomew Von Heer as the First Commander of the “Marechaussee Light Dragoons in the Army” Instituting General George Washington's and America’s First Military Police Force |
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JOHN JAY (1745-1829). President of the Continental Congress (Dec. 1778-Sept. 1779), American Jurist and historic Statesman, helped Benjamin Franklin Negotiate the Revolutionary War Peace with Great Britain, Governor of New York, First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. June 1, 1779-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Rare and Important Partly-Printed Vellum Commission Document Signed, “John Jay” as President of the Continental Congress, 1 page, measuring 11.5 x 6.5, Fine. This is President John Jay’s official Appointment of Bartholomew Von Heer (Creating America’s First Military Police Force) as:"Captain of a corps of Marechaussee Light Dragoons in the Army of the United States." This rare Vellum Military Commission Document is headed: “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED”. Signed at the conclusion in brown ink, “John Jay” as President of the Continental Congress. Documents Signed by John Jay in his capacity as President of the Continental Congress are extremely scarce as he served in the position of President of Congress for just 9 months and 18 days. The Embossed White Paper and Red Wax Seal is intact and nicely detailed, affixed at the left margin. Overall, printed in fine condition, well centered with full margins, having some moderate central tone and usual folds, two small prior mounting traces on the right side of its blank reverse. The rare signature of “John Jay” as president remains fully clear and legible, the brown ink somewhat light, having been written on Vellum. Cosigned by the Secretary of the Board of War. The term "Marechaussee" is of French origin, and it refers to a Military Police or Constabulary force. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington established the Provost Corps in 1776, which served as a military police force for the Continental Army. At Valley Forge Camp, Captain Bartholomew von Heer; he was to command a Provost Troop of the Light Dragoons or mounted military police. Washington’s foreign officers including von Steuben and the Marquis de Lafayette had recommended the creation of the force as early as November 1777. Bartholomew von Heer, who had served in such a unit in Europe, and Col. Henry Lutterhol drafted an outline of its composition and duties. The troop, based upon the “Privots de Marecheaux,” first created by King Francis I of France, would be known as the “Marechaussee Corps.” The Marechaussee Corps would be made up of: 1 Captain, 4 Lieutenants, 1 Clerk, 1 Quarter Master, 2 Trumpeters, 2 Sergeants, 5 Corporals, 43 Provosts, and 4 Executioners! On May 27, 1778, the Continental Congress authorized the Corps and defined its role: “Their business was to watch over the Regularity and good Order of the Army in Camp, Quarters, or on the March, quell Riots, prevent marauding, straggling and Desertions, detect Spies, regulate sutlers and the like.” Beginning in 1779, the Marechaussee began to be used in ways other than their prescribed duties. Washington asked them to conduct reconnaissance missions, serve as dispatch couriers, and in an emergency, serve as a cavalry for the main army. At one time or another they were assigned to General William Maxwell, General Anthony Wayne, Col. Stephen Moylan, and the Marquis de Lafayette. Washington saw this, and the value that such a force brought to his Continental Army. The “Marechaussee Corps” then evolved from a need of basic law and order to a multipurpose combat support element to the army, also proving to be a highly valued force multiplier when needed. The men of this early Miliary Police organization also participated in combat, fighting with General Nathaniel Greene's army in the victorious Battle of Springfield, New Jersey in June 1780. The following year, the Corps protected General Washington and his headquarters during the Siege of Yorktown, the last major battle of the American Revolution. Although the Marechaussee Corps disbanded in November 1783 along with the Continental Army, the men of that unit set an example for professionalism and dedication to duty for others to emulate during its five-year service. Documents signed by John Jay in his capacity as president of the Continental Congress are extremely scarce: he served in the role for just 9 months and 18 days. With this significant Appointment, he made Bartholomew Von Heer, a German-speaking officer who had immigrated to Pennsylvania, the Commander of the newly founded Marechaussee, or military police, which was tasked with the enforcement of order within the Continental Army. The mission of the Marechaussee would soon grow into that of an auxiliary force, as General Washington asked them to conduct reconnaissance missions, serve as dispatch couriers, and in emergencies, serve as a cavalry for the main army. George Washington's relationship with Bartholomew Von Heer, and the role of the Marechaussee in general, is discussed more fully in Bob Ruppert's article 'Bartholomew Von Heer and the Marechaussee Corps,' published in the Journal of the American Revolution in 2014. SEE: https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/10/bartholomew-von-heer-and-marechaussee-corps/ The term "Marechaussee" itself has its roots in European military traditions and refers to a military police or constabulary force. The U.S. Army's use of the term can be traced back to the 18th century. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington established the “Provost Corps” in 1776, which served as a military police force for the Continental Army, synominous terminology with the French language “Marechaussee Light Dragoons”. While General Washington and his staff were at Valley Forge Camp, the overall organization and the morale of the army was of concern. These concerns were remedied by creating a process for bestowing ranks, a process for filling state quotas, a pension equaling half of a soldier’s pay, and the granting of commissions to two Prussian officers. Baron von Steuben was to teach the American soldiers close-order drill, military readiness and use of the bayonet. Captain Bartholomew Von Heer; he was to Command a Provost Troop of the Light Dragoons or Mounted Military Police. Washington’s foreign officers including Von Steuben and the Marquis de Lafayette had recommended the creation of this new force as early as November 1777. Bartholomew Von Heer, who had served in such a unit in Europe, and Col. Henry Lutterhol drafted an outline of its composition and duties. The troop, based upon the “Privots de Marecheaux,” first created by King Francis I of France, would be known as the “Marechaussee Corps.” The new “Marechaussee Corps” would be made up of: 1 Captain, 4 Lieutenants, 1 Clerk, 1 Quarter Master, 2 Trumpeters, 2 Sergeants, 5 Corporals, 43 Provosts, and 4 Executioners. On May 27, 1778, the Continental Congress authorized the Corps and defined its role: “Their business was to watch over the Regularity and good Order of the Army in Camp, Quarters, or on the March, quell Riots, prevent marauding, straggling and Desertions, detect Spies, regulate sutlers and the like.” Documents Signed by John Jay in his capacity as President of the Continental Congress are extremely scarce: he served in the role for just 9 months and 18 days. With this significant appointment, he made Bartholomew Von Heer, a German-speaking officer who had immigrated to Pennsylvania, to be the Commander of the newly founded Marechaussee, or military police, which was tasked with the enforcement of order within the Continental Army. The mission of the Marechaussee would soon grow into that of an auxiliary force, as General Washington asked them to conduct reconnaissance missions, serve as dispatch couriers, and in emergencies, serve as a Cavalry unit for the main Continental Army. George Washington's relationship with Bartholomew Von Heer, and the role of the Marchaussee Corps in general, is specifically reviewed and discussed in Bob Ruppert's article “Bartholomew Von Heer and the Marechaussee Corps” as published in the “Journal of the American Revolution” in 2014. |
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Lot Number: 43
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $6,000 - $8,000 |
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Early American 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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