LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30037

Thomas FitzSimons Manuscript Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Thomas FitzSimons Manuscript Letter Signed
<B>Thomas Fitzsimons and George Meade Manuscript Letter Signed</B></I> “<I>Thos FitzSimons</B></I>” and “<I>Geo Meade,</B></I>” two pages, 8” x 9.5”, front and verso. Philadelphia, September 20, 1782. With leaf addressed “<I>To/Mr. John Fitzgerald/Alexandria/Virginia</B></I>” with seal tear and small holes in blank areas. In part, “<I>We wrote you yesterday by post but as we find he goes no further than Baltimore & meeting with Mr Pagan who goes thru your place we think it necessary to advise you that Mr Trinian upon being called upon to explain the nature of Mr Willis demand…Mr Willis has made the demand upon the Vessell & you possibly been obliged to enter into Engagement for it we have thot it better to hold that Sum & Mr Willis may draw upon us at his pleasure or on advice from you or him it shall be remitted in any way that is most agreeable. It is very painful to us that you should have had so many disagreeable contacts about this Vessell. The transactions are entirely foreign to our intention from the first purchase…We hope before this can get to Land she will be sailed…</B></I>” Born in Ireland, Thomas Fitzsimons came to America and pursued a mercantile career in Philadelphia. He married Catherine Meade and went into business with one of his brothers-in-law. The firm of George Meade and Co. soon became one of the leading commercial houses in the city, specializing in the West India trade. Capt. Fitzsimons provided supplies, ships, and money in support of Pennsylvania's forces in the Revolutionary War. He served in both the Continental Congress (1782-1783) and the U.S. House of Representatives (1789-1795) and was one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution. John Fitzgerald, also born in Ireland, settled in Alexandria and also pursued a mercantile career. During the Revolutionary War, he served as Aide-de-Camp to General Washington. Three years after Fitzgerald received this letter, he and George Gilpin (also a aide to Gen. Washington) became co-directors of the Potomac Company, organized by Gen. Washington to improve navigation of the Potomac River. On the second page, there are two small tape repairs of holes, one in blank area, the other just nicking the lower loop of “<I>G</B></I>” in “<I>Geo.</B></I>” Fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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