RARE AUTOGRAPH REVOLUTIONARY WAR-ERA DOCUMENT CONFIRMING THE REGIMENTAL DISCHARGE OF CAPTAIN PHILIP MARETT, DATED 1779, WRITTEN AND BOLDLY SIGNED BY PAUL REVERE, HANDSOMELY FRAMED

REVERE, Paul. Autograph document signed. Boston, May 15, 1779. Partial sheet of laid paper, measuring 8-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches; pp. 1; floated and framed with color portrait, entire piece measures 21 by 15 inches.

Rare autograph document, written entirely in Paul Revere's hand, certifying the discharge of Captain Philip Marett from the State Regiment of Artillery, boldly signed by Paul Revere, handsomely framed with a color portrait of Revere.

The document, on laid paper and dated "Boston May 15 1779", is handwritten entirely in Paul Revere's hand and reads in full: "I certify that Capt Philip Marett was discharged from the State Regiment of Artillery, the 30th day of last Jany. by Order of the Honble Council Paul Revere." This document certifies the discharge of Philip Marett. Marett was a sea captain and merchant, who, during the Revolutionary War, served as a captain in the Massachusetts Regiment of Artillery commanded by Col. Thomas Craft. Paul Revere served in the same regiment, first as a major, beginning in May of 1776, then as a lieutenant colonel, beginning in November of the same year. Today, Paul Revere remains best known for his April 18, 1775 "Midnight Ride," later commemorated by Longfellow. While Revere's name will forever be linked to the phrases "the British are coming" (a phrase which he never uttered) and "one if by land, two if by sea" (attributable to Longfellow), Revere's Revolutionary War contributions were substantial. Revere spied on British soldiers for the Boston Committee of Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. He released propaganda in the form of his iconic engraving of the Boston Massacre. He participated in the Boston Tea Party. Once the war was underway, Revere even manufactured gunpowder and cannons and printed the first U.S. currency. In 1778 Revere was given command of the fortification on Castle Island in Boston Harbor. Then, in September of 1779—mere months after he wrote this document—Revere was relieved of command due to allegations of disobedience and cowardice during the disastrous Penobscot Expedition (July-August 1779), in which Revolutionary forces attempted to retake coastal Maine from the British. Revere swiftly petitioned for a court martial and, in 1782, he was acquitted of all charges. This crucial document links two early American patriots and is a valuable artifact of their service during the Revolutionary War. Docketed on the verso in an unknown hand: "Col Reveres Cirtificate for Capt. Phillip Merett May 15 1779."

Bleedthrough from docketing to Revere's signature (still highly legible). About-fine condition.