A founding father’s historic wartime scribblings could now be yours.

Two important letters George Washington wrote in the middle of the Revolutionary War are being offered for sale through the Raab Collection. They both provide rare insight into the mind of one of America’s greatest leaders, as the country celebrates 250 years of independence. Carefully preserved for more than 200 years, the rare artifacts are valued at $150,000 and $80,000, respectively.

“Their importance is second to none in terms of gaining insight into Washington’s military strategy, how he communicated with his commanders, and how he viewed the British and the Tories,” Nathan Raab, president of the historical document dealer, said in a statement.

Washington was instrumental in securing American independence. Serving as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, he famously led the combined American and French forces to a decisive victory over the British at Yorktown in 1781. After resigning his military commission to Congress in 1783, he presided over the 1787 Constitutional Convention and helped create the framework for the new nation. He later became the country’s first president, serving two terms from 1789 to 1797.

The letters both contain battle orders from Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William De Hart at different points in the war. Penned in 1779, the first letter ($150,000) states that the Tories or British sympathizers are “detestable and pernicious,” that they are providing information to the British and requesting intelligence about their activities. In the note, Washington assigns De Hart to the command of a detachment to patrol an area around Paramus, New Jersey. Washington’s stated goal was to protect patriots and prevent contact between the Tories and the British.

“The Objects of it are to cover the communication between this & Kings Ferry—to give protection to the well affected Inhabitants & restrain the others by preventing all kind of intercourse with the Enemy & to obtain the best intelligence of their movements & designs…. You are not to permit the passing of Flags or private persons on their own business on any pretense whatever. The detestable & pernicious traffic carried on with the Enemy will demand your greatest vigilance & attention—I intreat you to pursue the most decisive measures to put a stop to it,” he writes.

Written in 1780, the second letter ($80,000) informs De Hart of an imminent raid on Staten Island and orders him to Newark, New Jersey, where he would provide surveillance of the British during the campaign. General Stirling was dispatched that same day, with some 2,500 troops executing a surprise attack on the enemy on Staten Island. De Hart’s job was to monitor the enemy and send word to Stirling if the British sought reinforcements across the river.

“An attempt is to be made by a detachment of the army under the command of Lord Stirling against the enemy upon Staten Island. The object of your taking post at Newark is to observe the motions of the enemy…You will keep parties of observation over towards Bergen, and should they discover any motion in that quarter, you will instantly communicate it by way of Elizabeth Town to Lord Stirling,” Washington writes.

De Hart himself gave both letters to a friend with whom he was then living, and they have remained in that family for over two centuries. The folks at the Raab Collection obtained them from the descendants. Neither letter has been offered for sale, making this an incredible opportunity to own not one but two pieces of American history.

You can learn more about the letters on the Inspired by History podcast.