Autograph letter signed “W. S. Smith,” three pages, London, July 4, 1792, addressed to Colonel William North in New York. Written during Smith's service abroad, the letter discusses complex financial arrangements involving protested bills of exchange and contains personal references to General Horatio Gates, Baron von Steuben, and the recent death of General William North's brother. This important autograph letter, written in London on July 4, 1792, by Colonel William Stephens Smith (1755–1816), offers a compelling window into the personal, financial, and military networks that bound together the Revolutionary generation after the War for Independence. Addressed to Colonel William North, the distinguished former aide-de-camp to Baron von Steuben, the letter combines substantial commercial content with poignant references to several of the most prominent figures of the Revolution. Smith opens by discussing a complicated financial matter involving bills of exchange that had been protested in Europe. Writing from London, he details his efforts to arrange payment through the merchant house of Phyn, Ellice & Inglis, explaining how prompt intervention prevented substantial losses and protected the interests of mutual associates. The correspondence reflects the increasingly international nature of American commerce during the early republic and demonstrates the difficulties faced by Americans conducting financial transactions across the Atlantic. Beyond its commercial substance, the letter contains a remarkable network of Revolutionary-era associations. Smith requests news of General Horatio Gates, noting that he has not heard from him since departing, and asks William North to forward copies of a deed and a map. He expresses confidence in North's judgment and management of his affairs, revealing the close personal ties that continued among former Continental officers years after the war. Most movingly, Smith refers to the death of North's brother, writing: “I suppose their feelings have been tortured in being witnesses to the distresses of their friend…” The passage appears to allude to the recent death of General William North's brother, a loss that clearly affected members of their shared circle. Smith asks that his love be conveyed to friends and family and reflects warmly on those connected to the deceased. The author, William Stephens Smith, occupies a unique place among the leaders of the early republic. Born on Long Island in 1755, Smith joined the Continental Army during the American Revolution and quickly rose through the ranks. He served with distinction as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington, placing him within the commander-in-chief's inner military circle during some of the most critical years of the war. Smith's prominence increased further through his marriage in 1786 to Abigail "Nabby" Adams, the eldest daughter of John and Abigail Adams. The union made Smith the son-in-law of the future second President of the United States and connected him directly to one of the nation's most influential political families. Through extensive correspondence with the Adams family, Smith became an important participant in the political and diplomatic world of the early republic. Following the Revolution, Smith served in several public capacities, including diplomatic assignments in Europe and later service in Congress representing New York. His years abroad coincided with a period of rapid political and commercial change, and letters from this era frequently reveal the international dimensions of American finance and diplomacy. The recipient, Colonel William North (1755–1836), was among the most respected officers of the Continental Army. A trusted aide to Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, North played an important role in implementing the military reforms that transformed Washington's army into a disciplined fighting force. After the Revolution he remained active in public affairs and maintained close relationships with many of the leading figures of the founding generation. The letter's references to Horatio Gates and Baron von Steuben further enhance its historical significance. Gates was one of the most celebrated generals of the Revolution, remembered especially for the victory at Saratoga, while von Steuben's training system at Valley Forge became foundational to the development of the American army. The appearance of both names within a personal letter underscores the intimate connections among the military elite of the Revolutionary era. Autograph letters of William Stephens Smith are desirable both for his service under Washington and for his association with the Adams family. This example is especially noteworthy because it combines substantive financial content with references to Gates, von Steuben, and William North, creating a rich documentary record of the personal and commercial relationships that endured among Revolutionary leaders in the early years of the republic. Written on the symbolic date of July 4, the anniversary of American independence, the letter stands as a vivid reminder of the generation that secured the nation's freedom and then worked to establish its place in the Atlantic world. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
London July 4th 1792 My dear Walker, I wrote you yesterday by the Amelia via Philadelphia acknowledging the receipt of your letters of the 20th & 29th of May and last night your favor of the 26th by Smith was also received. It must give you and my friends satisfaction to find by the arrival of this Packet that I have arranged the business of the Bills to the satisfaction of all concerned here, and exactly upon the principles which induced Mr Ward to undertake the voyage. In short the rapid return of my Bills which ought simply to have been noted can be accounted for in no other way than this; the House of Messrs Phyn Ellice & Inglis upon whom our friend Macomb drew, being deter- mined to protest his bills & not give him the least accommoda- tion which he expected from them, doubtless calculated by being thus prompt with mine, they should present him with a sufficient ostensible reason for informing him that they could not make arrangements to cover his drafts. The plain truth is, that had my bills been at the moment accepted & security given for their payment that House would not have given the least facility in the business. But thank God, I have got everything out of their grasp & put in a train for the time so as to save to Macomb the damages on his bills which they have protested, as they acknowledged to me here they were satisfied with the solidity of the grounds upon which they were drawn. So that my voyage if it does no other good has saved him eighteen thousand pounds sterling, being the damages of protest. The bill holders have entered into regular articles to give up the damages & await the expiration of my bills, and are all highly satisfied by the manner in which I have arranged the business. I must refer you for further particulars to a letter of this date addressed to Mr. Macomb wherein I have informed him that I have requested you to send the stock, and which I flatter myself you will readily do, for there is no other possible mode of closing this business. With this, if bills being deposited in such waiting the direction of my payments, so I am clear that I can make a more advantageous arrangement of it for the benefit of the parties that I am very solicitous to have it—it will give a new spring to confidence & guard all from loss, for let the value be what it may, they will receive it should I have to make any immediate arrangements at the contract price, in addition to which they will guarantee the surplus should the market rise at the period when my bills are due—or if I should use it for the benefit of our friends, I can raise cash on the deposit to pay my bills, so as not to be under the necessity of selling at a loss. All these points being considered, you will doubtless think me right in requesting you will lose no time in transmitting the stock. It will also ease you of a great burthen & bring that part of the question as it relates to the creditors in New York to a point. The ground upon which they expect a greater dividend by the refunding of this stock is removed; my bills are in train of answering the end of their creation, viz. that of paying the bills Mr. Macomb drew. They were paid for in that stock & it must go to this business. I have been very careful & attentive to my motions in this business. I have done it well, & had Messrs Phyn, Ellice & Inglis been in the least disposed to give aid, you & my other friends in New York would not have been put to one moment's anxiety on my part of the business here. I feel myself much obliged to our friend Constable for his manly aid in this affair—and to you for the exact & regular information I have received from you. In my letter of the 22d of June I asked a question on the subject of the 3 percent deposit which yours of the 26th answers satisfactorily. I have sent the books for North, which you request; poor fellow I feel for him & lament with you the loss of his son; present him my best wishes for his prosperity, & tell the Baron that he has in all appearance forgot his promise to write me not a line from him or General Gates since I sailed. I should like to have heard from them both, but I suppose their feelings have been so tortured in being witnesses to the distresses of their friend that they have not been sufficiently composed to write. Give my love to them. I observe you have closed the bargain with Castlereagh. I shall thank you to send me a copy of the deed; my brother James will make it out for me and also a map of the lots; perhaps I may work it off to advantage here. I notice the change you have been induced to make in the state. I have such an entire confidence in your arrangements that I feel easy under every circumstance committed to your care and am my dear sir with great regard Yours sincerely W. S. Smith Col. Wm. North Addressed to: Colonel William North New York Docketed: London July 4th 1792 W. S. Smith
