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JOHN PENN (1741?-88) Signer of Declaration of Independence. LS, 1p, nd, legal folio, petition to...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
JOHN PENN (1741?-88) Signer of Declaration of Independence. LS, 1p, nd, legal folio, petition to...
JOHN PENN (1741?-88) Signer of Declaration of Independence. LS, 1p, nd, legal folio, petition to Richard Caswell (1729-89), Governor of North Carolina, interesting content re the corruption of a public official. Also signed by 2 others. Reads in part, "...your petitioners have been informed, that Benjamin McCulloch Esqr has lately been convicted...of certain Misdemeanors in his Office as Commissioner of Army Accounts and has been sentenced to pay a Fine of Four thousand pounds...from thence for Twelve months in the Gaol of Halifax [County]...Your petitioners not having been present at the Trial cannot presume to say the nature of the proof...but from common report circumstances appeared in his favour, to show that his conduct, however unsurable in a Public Official, did not proceed from a depravity and wickedness of Mind, and they beg leave to assure your Excellency...the long knowledge they have had of his former character...would evidence them to put the most favourable construction on his conduct. They would be far from wishing to intercept a necessary stroke of Public Justice...if they were convinced it was really deserved...They cannot avoid interesting themselves in behalf of a venerable Father, an amiable Wife, and six lovely Children, likely long to suffer under this dreadful affliction, and hoping that on the payment of the Fine, your Excellency will have the goodness to exercise your Constitutional Power in his favour in regards to the Imprisonment.." Signed on verso by 44 others. Tipped to another sheet. Couple of small ink erosian holes in text. Light toning, o/w VG. Bold, handsome full signature. $4,000-6,000