America.- French and Indian War.- Pepperell (Sir William, first Bt., 1696-1759) Autograph Letter signed to Captain Edward Cole, 1p., folds, torn with marginal loss (just touching 1 letter of address verso), a few small holes, touching part of the odd letter, stained, lightly browned, 233 x 191mm., Boston, 9th May 1755.

⁂ Pepperell was a merchant, soldier and slave owner in colonial Massachusetts. He had been the American hero of the Siege of Louisbourg in 1745. As hostilities with the French flared up again in 1755, he was instrumental in raising two regiments of Massachusetts troops for a campaign on the New York frontier. He writes to Edward Cole, who was a Rhode Island officer who had also served at Louisbourg 'I am glad you are agoing altho not in my regment. I understand the provitial troops and our regments will soon joyn together.'

Provenance: Eric C. Caren Collection, sold Swann 15th March, 2012, lot 137.