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Benjamin Franklin orders a loan to support Pennsylvania’s “new Emission of paper money”
106. Benjamin Franklin Document Signed for New Currency. Historic manuscript DS, signed “B. Franklin Presid’t,” one page, 7.25 x 6, December 6, 1785. As president of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Executive Council, Benjamin Franklin signs a document headed: “For £15,000.0.0 of the new Emission of paper money.” Franklin orders Treasurer David Rittenhouse to “Pay to the Trustees of the General Loan Office or order the sum of Fifteen thousand pounds in Bills of Credit of the New Emission according to two Acts of Assembly passed the 16th of March and 4 of April 1784—to emit on Loan—for which the said Trustees are to be accountable.” Prominently signed at the conclusion by Franklin, and endorsed along the left side by Comptroller General John Nicholson. Reverse bears several endorsements regarding receipt of said funds. In very good to fine condition, with light staining and a few small repairs to paper loss along the edges. The first state to push through paper money during the postwar period was Pennsylvania, in March 1785, by an act referenced in the present document. An important document prominently signed by the influential founding father. Starting Bid $1000
108. Robert Morris Document Signed. Important financier who signed the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution (1734-1806). Partly-printed DS, signed “Rob’t Morris,” one page, 6.5 x 4, September 14, 1795. Promissory note in which John Nicholson promises to pay Robert Morris $10,000 three years later. Boldly endorsed on the reverse by Morris. In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, light creasing, and an area of edge loss. Starting Bid $200
110. Alexander Hamilton Autograph Document Signed (1787, After Signing Constitution). ADS signed “Alex. Hamilton,” one page, 7 x 2.75, September 26, 1787. Handwritten receipt by Hamilton, penned the week after he signed the United States Constitution at Independence Hall. In full: “Sept. 26, 1787, rec’d of Balthazer DeHaert twenty seven pounds on account for General Schuyler.” Beautifully archivally mounted, matted, and framed with an engraved plaque to an overall size of 14.5 x 11. In fine condition, with a very light crease passing through the paraph.
In 1787, Alexander Hamilton was serving in the New York State Legislature and was chosen as a delegate for the Constitutional Convention by his father-in-law Philip Schuyler. Rather than revising the existing Articles of Confederation, Hamilton advocated for the creation of a new government with a fresh start. The convention, which was held in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787, resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution—one of the definitive moments in American history. This document, by which Hamilton receives funds on Schuyler’s behalf, dates to just nine days after the signing of the Constitution. A remarkable autograph from a momentous period in the history of the United States. Starting Bid $500
109.
Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton distributes “sea letters” to protect neutral American vessels as war erupts in Europe
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7.75 full: “Two copies of sea letters are herewith sent you. If there should be a probability of your wanting more, you will lose no time in notifying it to the Collector of Boston, who will be furnished with large parcels and instructed from this office to distribute them among the several collectors of your state as circumstances may require. A greater number would accompany this than do were they prepared, but this is not the case—great delay in getting them ready for transmission is unavoidable.” Expertly archivally mounted, matted, and framed under Tru-Vue Optium UV Acrylic with a color portrait to an overall size of 21.5 x 17. In fine condition, with light toning and some light edge wear.
10, May 16, 1793.
These sea letters were meant to protect neutral American vessels from interference by warring European powers. Printed in three languages—English, French, and Dutch—the sea letters were signed by President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, then sent to the collectors of the ports for distribution. There, each letter would be filled out with the name of the vessel and its commander, the nature of its cargo, and the bulk of the ship. The urgency of the present letter—sending two copies of the prepared sea letters, with instructions for obtaining more—demonstrates the importance that Hamilton placed upon the matter. Starting Bid $1500
