Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814, American playwright, historian, and poet; propagandist for American independence) rare autograph letter, signed, dated at "Plimouth," December 11, 1775, to Brigadier General John Thomas (1724-1776, commander of the 2nd Mass. Regt., who would die the following June during the American retreat from Quebec); 2 pp., small 4to, 7 5/8 x 6 1/4 in., with integral address sheet docketed by Thomas. Announces that she is sending her son Charles (1762-1784) to him to learn something about military life, "If this Country is long to display the painful scenes of War & our Sons must be soldiers it is not amiss that they should Early Behold the Apparatus. ... May we train up a Race of Heros who shall defend the Rights of Society against the Encroachments of Every despotic power that shall in future attempt to curtail them."

Slightly trimmed, with old darkened folds; window-mounted on a larger sheet