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Autographs/P: Charles Pettit Free Frank

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:750.00 - 850.00 USD
Autographs/P: Charles Pettit Free Frank
CHARLES PETTIT, Continental Congressman and Assistant Quartermaster General of the Continental Army. Autograph Letter with Free Frank Signed, "C. Pettit" as Continental Congressman on the integral address leaf, January 18, 1786 to Charles Biddle, Vice-President of the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, 2-1/2 pages, 10" x 7.75", Very Good. The entire letter has been silked on both sides of each page and there is some splitting along the folds. We would have called this an Autograph Letter Signed, but most of Pettit's last name was torn away when the seal was broken and the letter opened. Fortunately, the Free Frank signature is intact. The content of this letter is quite important, as one might suspect in a communication between two high-level politicos. Here, Pettit transmits information on the secret gathering of ammunition in Pennsylvania, likely in preparation for a revolt or rebellion, and follows with a strong discourse on "Connecticut Claimants" (individuals who claimed to have been duly elected to the Continental Congress). Apparently, the Claimants were causing trouble, prompting Pettit to write, "...I shall only say at present that if the sword should be necessary, I hope the olive branch will be kept in view..."