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1782 Francis Hopkinson Twice-Signed Orders, a Seized Ships Appraisal + Its Cargo

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
1782 Francis Hopkinson Twice-Signed Orders, a Seized Ships Appraisal + Its Cargo
Autographs
Francis Hopkinson Twice Signed Revolutionary War Orders for the Value Appraisal of a Seized Ship and It’s Cargo
FRANCIS HOPKINSON (1737-1791). Signer of the Declaration of Independence as a Delegate from New Jersey, Pennsylvania Admiralty Court Judge, Federal Judge, American Author, played a key role in the Design of the First American Flag and creation of the Design for the “Great Seal of the United States”; Continental Congress US Loan-Office Treasurer of Loans.
July 25th & 26th, 1782-Dated, Rare Double-Sided, Mated Pair of Manuscript Legal Documents Twice Signed, “Fras. Hopkinson” as Admiralty Judge of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, Very Fine. Both Documents are handwritten and signed by Hopkinson on fine quality watermarked laid period paper. Hopkinson was commissioned a Judge of Admiralty in Pennsylvania in 1780, and President George Washington appointed him Federal District Judge for his native state in 1790. This single-sheet bearing two written statements by Hopkinson one day apart, dated July 25, 1782, and July 26, 1782, measuring 9.5” x 7.25”.

One side with an Order Signed, “Fras. Hopkinson” as Admiralty Judge of Pennsylvania, dated July 25th, 1782 ordering appraisers to value a ship and cargo taken as a Prize of War. It reads, in part:

“These are to authorize and require you, or any Two of you, forthwith to repair on Board the Shallop, or Vessel, called the Bocca, now in the Custody of the Marshall of this Court and lying in the Port of Philadelphia, and libelled against as Prize by Joshua Barney Esquire, qui bam etc. and there cause the Bulk thereof to be broken to a value and appraise the said Shallop and the Cargo on board her according to the best of your Skill & Judgment of which Valuation or Appraisement you are to make and Return to me...”.

The opposite side contains the return Appraisal valuing the ship and its cargo of cordwood at 139 pounds. This was then sworn before judge Hopkinson on July 26, 1782, where he again boldly signs at the conclusion, “Fras Hopkinson”. An most interesting and unusual American Revolutionary War period document dealing with the seizure of Enemy Ships during the War. Both sides are handwritten in vivid bold deep brown ink on a lightly toned sheet, having some small scattered celluloid hinge reinforcements at folds, and at a small sealed torn corner at upper right. A pleasing and clearly seen Embossed Seal of the State of Pennsylvania Naval Court within the paper at upper left. Both signatures are bold and massive in size, each measuring about 4.5” long. This document from our EAHA Auction of June 2004 lot 82, where it realized $1,437. Also, accompanied by a separated Docket sheet with date and naming the seized ships, reading in full: “Writ to appraise value. / J. Barney, quittance v The Shallop Boreas / July 26, 1782 & then decision made”. (2 items)

Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II.
Francis Hopkinson was a man of extraordinary talent and charm. Born into a family of substance in Philadelphia, he was the first scholar and first Graduate of the College of Philadelphia, which his father, along with good friend Benjamin Franklin, played a role in chartering.

He studied Law in the office of Benjamin Chew (later, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania) and then continued his education in England, two years study with the Bishop of Worcester. He was a writer of music, poetry and satire. His notable works include "A Pretty Story," a skeptical examination of the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies, and "Battle of the Kegs," a satiric taunting of the British.

Hopkinson claimed credit for designing the American flag, but the evidence for his claim is not clear. Hopkinson was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776, where he signed the Declaration. After the War he was an active advocate, in speaking and in writing, for the New Federal constitution.

He was commissioned a Judge of Admiralty in Pennsylvania in 1780, and Washington appointed him Federal District Judge for his native state in 1790. He died very suddenly of a massive epileptic seizure in 1791, at the still young age of 53.