1776 Arthur Middleton Letter. Folded letter sheet addressed to "William Henry Drayton Esq., Chief Justice of South Carolina" with "p favor of W. Weereat of Georgia, Q.D.C." endorsement and docketed "Arthur Middleton's Letter & his opinion about Lee's expedition to E. Florida, 14th & 18th Sept, 1776" docketing at right; some cover aging, Very Fine appearance. Estimate  $200 - 300. Henry Middleton was a leader of the American Party in Carolina and one of the boldest members of the Council of Safety and its Secret Committee. In 1776, Arthur was elected to succeed his father in the Continental Congress and subsequently was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. Also in 1776, he and William Henry Drayton designed the Great Seal of South Carolina. Despite the time he spent in England, his attitude toward Loyalists was said to be ruthless. During the American Revolutionary War, Arthur served in the defense of Charleston. After the city's fall to the British in 1780, he was sent as a prisoner of war to St. Augustine, Florida (along with Edward Rutledge), until exchanged in July the following year. $0 (Image)