1781 (Sep. 20) Sandy Hook, Canada to London, England, datelined folded letter from British sailor addressed to Benjamin Elias at Bank Coffee House, Cornhill, reverse with London "5 / NO" Bishop mark, edge wear and some separation, Fine, ex-Barry Jay. Estimate  $4,000 - 6,000. AN OUTSTANDING LETTER DESCRIBING CORNWALLIS' DIFFICULTIES AT THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. Letter reads, "Dear Elias, For once let a Jew and perhaps an Infidel correspond - allons - Our situation is too precarious to crack jokes - and time at present only allows me to inform you that the time is fast - very fast advancing that I must determin the facts between England and America. In short Lord Cornwallis is now in Yorktown (Virginia) with about 10 thousand men and about 9 weeks provisions - not more and surrounded totally by at least 20 thousand men - French and American commanded by General Washington - also the French have a fleet of thirty six sail of the line which totally commands Chesapeak Bay and prevents our supplying Lord Cornwallis with provisions - we have 23 sail of the line under the command of Admiral Greaves [sic] who had not yet left America which prevents Admiral Digby's command. In ten days its expected we shall make a bold push, it signifys not saying we shall we must or Lord Cornwallis must inevitably share the same fate of poor Borgoyne and America is gone for ever. I can only add that much the English Jack am I that my sole wish is that if we cannot gain the Victory - I hope we shall do mre - deserve it - there has been an action about a fortnight past we 18 sail the French 24 - both parties by consent asit were I think two or three days in sight of each other without ting to come again to action - we arrived off Sandy Hook on Monday last & wait a fair wind to get up to N: York to water and expect to sail with the whole fleet in 8 days at most….". $0 (Image)