RARE Revolutionary War Naval document dated March 7, 1779 and signed by Capt. Gustavus Conyngham

Commissioned by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN and friend of JOHN PAUL JONES, Capt. Conyngham (1744-1819) became a terror to British shipping by capturing 60 ships between 1777 and 1779. This document was signed by him just one month before he was finally captured by the British frigate Galatea and sent to Britain's infamous prison 'THE OLD MILL.' He eventually tunneled out and escaped. Beautifully framed and matted with a late 18th century print of 'Capt. Cunningham,' the name being the pronunciation of has surname and of course spelled incorrectly. A painting of Capt. Conyngham hangs in the U.S. Navy Art Collection.