In the optimistic missive, Washington extols the revolutionary spirit of the American people—even in defeat—and makes a rare reference to the experimental smallpox inoculation that helped prevent outb

On April 26, 1777, during the Revolutionary War, a large British raiding party attacked the American supply depot at Danbury, Connecticut, burning houses and barns and destroying stores of shoes, tents, medicine and food.

George Washington was commanding the Continental Army and staying in Morristown when he wrote an optimistic letter on the prospects of winning the Revolutionary War despite a recent defeat. His words were vindicated four years later when Great Britain surrendered.

A letter written by George Washington in 1777 that is valued at $150,000 is up for sale this Presidents Day. The letter, acquired by the Raab Collection, was written during the Revolutionary War, when the British took the war to Danbury,