LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

26032

Great Early Republic Autograph Collection

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Great Early Republic Autograph Collection
<B>Excellent Early Republic Autograph Collection.</B></I> An exciting collection is comprised of six pieces, dating from 1776 to 1790, from the pens of these early patriots, as follows: <B>1). Willie Jones.</B></I> Autograph Document Signed, one page, 6" x 3.5", tipped to a quarto sheet, no place, March 2, 1776. In very fine condition. Accompanied by a full typed transcription. Here the North Carolina delegate to the Provincial and Continental Congresses, and a member of the first constitutional conventional in 1776, does some public business. An interesting receipt, in part: "Recd...One hundred and sixty pounds proc. on Acct. of Tobacco delivered to him for the Use of the publick." The aristocratic planter Jones was one of the loudest voices calling for secession from Britain and the establishment of an independent state. During the Revolutionary War, he served in various political and military roles and was, in 1776, the President of the Provincial Council. A Jeffersonian states' righter, Jones would later prove influential in the adoption of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution - although ultimately, like many anti-Federalists, he opposed ratification. <BR><B>2). Viscount de Beaumont.</B></I> MsS. Invitation, in the third person, inviting John Hancock's aide Colonel William Donnison to dine on board the Patriote on Saturday, August 26, 1787, "to celebrate the feast of his most Christian Majesty"; one page, 6.5" x 7.5", no place [Long Wharf, Boston], August 23, 1787. With integral address leaf. Accompanied by a full typed transcription. In fine condition, albeit bearing at top and bottom pencil notes, not affecting text, concerning identification and provenance. We have the American Herald's word for it, just the day after, on August 27, 1787: "Saturday being the day for the Feast of St. LEWIS, the same was celebrated by every public demonstration of joy, by the squadron of His Most Christian Majesty, now in this harbour. The Viscount de BEAUMONT gave an entertainment on board the Patriote;-at which were present his Houour the Lieutenant-Governour, and the Gentlemen of the Honourable Council, the President of the Honourable Senate, the late Governour, the principal Officers of the late Federal Army, and other official Characters of distinction. His Excellency the Governour [John Hancock], from indisposition, could not have the pleasure of attending. The Ships of the Fleet were decorated with the Flags of all Nations, among which, the American Stripes were conspicuous. The Feast was superb: The politeness and attention of the Viscount and his officers gave the utmost pleasure to the Gentlemen who had the honour of being present." Thirteen toasts, history records, were announced under a discharge of cannon. Included were those to "The late Federal Army - May America never want another as brave and disinterested to defend her freedom", to the States, that they "May... be as happy in Peace as her Citizens have been virtuous and successful in War," and finally, to "The American Ladies -may the men be as brave as the Women are Fair." <BR><B>3). Richard Butler.</B></I> Excellent Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, recto and verso, 7" x 12", tipped to a large folio sheet, Carlisle, July 3, 1784. To General Edward Hand. With integral address leaf. Accompanied by a full typed transcription. In very fine condition. Here the ex-Revolutionary War soldier, now in charge of Indian affairs, writes of his concerns and movements concerning negotiating the Treaty with the Six Nations. We quote from this important letter in part: "I have yet no Acct. of my Colleague Mr. Lee re his promise to call this way... to proceed to Philadel. together. Should he not come before necessary next I shall take up my line of March on Thursday. I have wrote Mr. Wolcott Jr am in hopes he will meet me at Philadel. for many good reasons should he not think yrs. sufficient I intend will have to go to N. York which I think being a wrong place... I shall take the liberty to drop you a line... to inform how matters go... in the grand affair - I have some thought it will be lost but still am determined..." The Treaty with the Six Nations, by which the Iroquois Confederacy ceded land in what is now western Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, and New York, opened vast tracts to white exploration and settlement. It was signed, on behalf of the United States, by Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee. <BR><B>4). Jacob Shallus.</B></I> Autograph Document Signed "<I>J. Shallus</B></I>", as Assembly Clerk, one page, 7" x 9", General Assembly, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1788. With full typed transcription. Some nascent separation at folds, else fine. Here the hand that engrossed the Constitution of the United States pens a Resolution of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. This particularly handsome example shows why Shallus was awarded the honor, eight months later, of engrossing the Constitution of the United States. It evinces, like that document drafting a whole new form of government, a very legible script, and titles that are large and dark. Here Shallus records for posterity that, on a motion of "Mr. Fitzsimons seconded by Mr. Moore, Resolved That the Comptroller General lay before this House an account of the additional duties imposed by the Acts of 20th September 1785 and the 15th March 1787... by the Collector of the port of Philadelphia." <BR><B>5). Gustavus Scott.</B></I> Autograph Letter Signed, three pages, 7.5" x 9", Cambridge, Maryland, April 12, 1789. To "Dear Sir." With full typed transcription. Two minute holes at folds on the third leaf do not in any way detract from the overall Fine condition of this handsome letter. Elected to the Continental Congress, but choosing not to serve, this long letter finds the patriot looking, genteelly, for a job he does want: something, he says, in "the Law Departments." This interesting letter demonstrates how one jockeyed for position in a government but barely formed; In part: "I think there is some ground to suppose that amidst the various names that will appear at New York previous to the Appointments for the new Judiciary that my name may appear... What chance I may have of success, or upon what principles these appointments will be made by the senate is a subject very difficult for me to determine... I am fully persuaded... so far as the thing is possible will be attended to by the President..." Scott was unsuccessful, but in 1794, did land a government job: he was named one of the commissioners to superintend the erection of the public buildings in Washington, D.C. <BR><B>6). Alexander White.</B></I> Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 7.5" x 10", New York, May 13, 1790. To "My Dear Madam." With fill typed transcription. A few expert repairs to the verso only enhance the overall fine condition of this exceptionally legible letter. As a Representative from Virginia to the First Congress, White writes about President Washington, and the process of making laws. In part: "...Mrs. White and Sally have both had the Influenza a disorder few have escaped... The President has it, or some similar disorder as to confine him to his bed - these two days past - I shall not trouble you with laws of a Political Nature only, observe, that our Proceedings are so dilatory that I fear spending the greatest part of the summer in this Place..." <I>From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.</B></I>
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