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

Washington signed the letter on May 7, 1777. It was written in response to a letter, five days earlier, from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons notifying Washington of “an Event very Alarming to the Country” — a British victory in Danbury, Connecticut.

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,

George Washington, who had been leading the battle for independence from Britain for almost two years. But on May 7, Washington wrote a letter to a worried subordinate, saying the raid had not been a disaster.