selves amongst us. I was not in Congress after the 4th for some months, having marched with my regiment of associators of this city, as Colonel, to support General Washington until a flying Camp of ten thousand men was completed. When the associators were discharged I returned to Philadelphia, took my seat in Congress & then signed the declaration on parchment..

[SEE ILLUSTRATION]

395 MIDDLETON (ARTHUR, Signer from South Carolina). ORIGINAL SILHOUETTE PORTRAIT of Arthur Middleton. 16mo. Ca. 1775. With a letter vouching for its authenticity by Charles E. Rice, to whom the silhouette had been left at the death of Mrs. Eliza Middleton.

396

397

A fine example of silhouette work with a background of black silk.

D. s., 1 p., 4to. Philadelphia, January 23, 1782. To John Ross. Note for 200 Spanish milled Dollars. Signed also by Thomas Bee, Isaac Motte and N. Everleigh. With portrait. 2 pieces

Autograph signature. A fine bold specimen.

398 MORRIS (LEWIS, Signer from New York). A. L. s., 1 p., folio. Bedford, Oct. 26, 1770. To Gov. Clinton. With 2 portraits. 3 pieces.

AN INTERESTING HISTORICAL LETTER, respecting means taken by him to protect the farmers of Westchester County.

"I have attended to the Distress of the People, and give them all the Protection which the present weak and exposed State of the County would admit, I enclose you a copy of Genl Washington's Letter to Genl Scott, in consequence of my application to him for assistance thanks to Heaven the Enemy from all accounts that we can get are about to leave N. York... I mentioned to Genl Scott for us to go and Drive them over the King's Bridge, he said Genl Washington had something of that in contemplation," etc.

399 MORRIS (ROBERT, Signer from Pennsylvania). A. L. S., 3 pp., 4to. Philadelphia, February 21, 1777. Last sheet restored. With portrait. 2 pieces.

400

A FINE LETTER FROM THE FINANCIER OF THE REVOLUTION. "The Resolves are gone to the General . . . what a cursed change since last night but never fear they shall not come here. I refer the letters by Express to Congress... I have really had my hands, head and heart full of business since I saw you but thank God my spirits never failed,” etc.

A. L. s., 2 pp., 4to. Philadelphia, February 25, 1777. To William Bingham, at Martinique.

A FINE LETTER, sent by John Reed, who is carrying dispatches to the American Commissioners at Paris. He bears several for Doctor Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, which Reed is to care for and lock up during Reed's stay at Martinique. Money advanced to Mr. Reed is to be accounted for to the Committee of Secret Correspondence at Philadelphia.

401

402

403

A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. Philadelphia, November 22, 1778. Fine letter to William Bingham.

A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. Hills, December 26, 1797. To John Nicholson. Business and friendly letter. Repaired in

folds.

A. L. s., and 2 D. s. 3 pieces.

404 MORTON (JOHN, Signer from Pennsylvania). A. D. s., oblong. 1767. Inlaid to folio. Legal document, signed as Sheriff.

405 2 pieces of Colonial Currency of the 1772 issue, both signed by John Morton and others. Printed by Hall and Sellers.

406 NELSON (THOMAS, Jr., Signer from Virginia). A. L. s., 2 pp., 4to. Baltimore, Jan. 25, 1777. To Robert Morris. Fine historical letter written while Congress was sitting at Baltimore. "I thank you & the rest of my Jovial friends, for the notice that was taken of me at the Hills. fifty pounds would I give, out of my own pocket, that we were now at Philadelphia, not only that I might partake of the Weekly enjoyment of my friends upon the Schullkill, but that I might get away from this place, where almost every man, seems to think it is his Duty, to extort from a member of Congress, as much as he possibly can, upon every occasion.

The great demand for Money from every quarter has kept our Treasury so low that I have not had it in my power to send you any; There will however be 200,000 dollars sent in two or three days at farthest, & Loan Office certificates to Mr. Smith to the amount of 300,000 Dollars. Indeed my dear friend the state of our Treasury is such that I hate to think of it. When I could give satisfactory answers to Congress upon a requisition being made for a Sum of Money, I took the greatest pleasure in transacting the business of the Treasury Board, but of late we have been so circumstanced that I had almost as lief go to a Jail as go near the Treasury. The Period is not far distant, when the last five millions of Dollars will be exhausted, & by your accounts the Loan Office in your State, will not do much for us unless the Interest be raised, which I fear Congress will not do, and what is to be done."

407

A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. Wmsburg, January 26, 1781. To Thomas Jefferson. With portrait and residence view. 3 pieces.

FINE WAR LETTER, reporting the effect of a storm on the enemy's fleet. "Eight of their vessels were driven ashore, four of which it is supposed will not be gotten off again, but I fear the greatest advantage cannot be taken of their Distress, the vessels being on a Coast chiefly in their power," etc.

408 PACA (WILLIAM, Signer from Maryland). A. D. s., 1 p., oblong. September 9, 1775. Receipt for his pay as a Delegate to Congress. On the verso is a receipt signed by F. Green, Printed of the Maryland Gazette.

409 L. s., 2 pp., folio. Philadelphia, October 9, 1779. [To the Gov. of Delaware]. With portrait and residence view. 3 pieces.

410

In reference to Washington's call on the States for immediate supplies of flour. The quota for Delaware is 5,000 barrels. The letter is signed also by Nicholas Van Dyke, James Forbes, Dan of St. Thomas Jenifer, and John Mathew.

A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. Annapolis, December 27, 1783. Draft of Circular to Members of the Council, requesting their attendance.

411 PAINE (ROBERT TREAT, Signer from Massachusetts). A. L. s., 2 pp., folio. January, 1780. Legal document as Attorney-General of Massachusetts, giving an opinion that the estate of Rev. Henry Caner should be confiscated to the State, on account of his being a Loyalist.

412 A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. February 6, 1783. Referring to the Trial of Thomas Gibbs for passing counterfeit Continental Currency. With portrait. 2 pieces.

413 PENN (JOHN, Signer from North Carolina). A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. York, January 2, 1778. To Jethro Sumner, with franked address. In regard to a recommendation of Officers for advancement as "Col. Martin having been charged with want of courage soon after the Battle on the Brandywine," it was not thought prudent to advance him.

414

FINE HISTORICAL LETTER.

A. L. s., 3 pp., 4to. Col. Pendleton's, September 27, 1779. To Joseph Hewes, the Signer. With portrait, and residence view. 3 pieces.

A FINE LETTER LINKING A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT NAMES. "There was a great to do in Maryland about Mr. Chase he is either so careless or unfortunate as to get his secrets made publick by having his letters found on the road and opened. He has expressed himself very imprudently & is & has been a great speculator. Col George Mason of Virgla. drew a bill on William Lee the Bill was protested, and

the history of Mr. Lee's shifts to avoid being seen is written at length," etc.

415 READ (GEORGE, Signer from Delaware). A. D. s., 2 pp., folio. August Term, 1776. Legal document. Inlaid, with portrait. 2 pieces.

A FINE 1776 SPECIMEN.