Chew, Joseph, fl. 1780 [Joseph Chew's discussion of a letter from Benedict Arnold]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05533.02 Author/Creator: Chew, Joseph, fl. 1780 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph note signed Date: 2 October 1780 Pagination: 1 p. ; 18.5 x 9.5 cm. Order a Copy
The note, signed by Chew, explains how the accompanying letter (no longer present) was kept undercover, "This Letter was delivered as a Blank Sheet of Paper put over one or two newspapers - which by wetting with a Proper Composition made it Legible." Also describes the writer of the letter and how he has been persecuted, claiming, "... the writer was a Colo. in his Majestys Service during the War that Ended in 1763... Since which he has been thoroughly persecuted." Benedict Arnold, who served in the French and Indian War, may have been the writer Chew was referring to. The date is written in pencil, probably not contemporary and possibly inaccurate.
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