Archives International Auctions Sale 70 September 22, 2021 U.S., Chinese. & Worldwide Banknotes, Scripophily,

Archives International Auctions - Sale 70 70 September 22, 2021 Archives International Auctions www.archivesinternational.com 395 395 Revolutionary War Connecticut, 1777 Promissory Note For Damage to Soldiers Gun, Signed by Oliver Ellsworth Hartford, Connecticut, 1777. Promissory note to pay Joseph Butler 9 Shillings “for damage done to his gun while in service, and charge the State,” dated July 30th, 1777 in Hartford. Signed by Pay-Table members John Chenward and Oliver Ellsworth, and addressed to Connecticut Treasurer John Lawrence, Esq. at bottom left. Promissory Notes like this were issued by the State of Connecticut to help to finance the Revolutionary War (in this case, to finance a repair to a damaged gun). The Pay-Table (also known as the Committee of Four) managed Connecticut’s military finances during the ongoing conflict. John Lawrence (1719-1802) served as treasurer of the Connecticut colony, and later as the Connecticut State Treasurer from 1769 to 1789, spanning the crucial period of colonial rule, through the American revolution, and into the early years of the United States. During the Revolutionary War, Lawrence was commissioner of loans for the new nation. Fenn Wadsworth (1750/51-1785) was a brigade major to General James Wadsworth from 1776 to 1779. He fought in many battles during that time, but his failing health forced him to leave active service. He was involved in Connecticut’s early governance, shown by his membership to the Committee of Four in this document. Most notable in the document is the ornate and distinct signature of Oliver Ellsworth (1745-1807), an American lawyer, judge, politician, and diplomat. He was a framer of the United States Constitution, a United States Senator from Connecticut, and the third Chief Justice of the United States. In 1777, he became the state attorney for Hartford County, Connecticut and was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress, serving during the remainder of the American Revolutionary War. He served as a state judge during the 1780s and was selected as a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which produced the United States Constitution. While at the convention, Ellsworth played a role in fashioning the Connecticut Compromise between the more populous states and the less populous states. He also served on the Committee of Detail, which prepared the first draft of the Constitution, but he left the convention before signing the document. His influence helped ensure that Connecticut ratified the Constitution, and he was elected as one of Connecticut’s inaugural pair of Senators, serving from 1789 to 1796. He was the chief author of the Judiciary Act of 1789, which shaped the federal judiciary of the United States and established the Supreme Court’s power to overturn state supreme court decisions that were contrary to the United States Constitution. Ellsworth served as a key Senate ally to Alexander Hamilton and aligned with the Federalist Party. He led the Senate passage of Hamiltonian proposals such as the Funding Act of 1790 and the Bank Bill of 1791. He also advocated in favor of the United States Bill of Rights and the Jay Treaty. In 1796, after the Senate rejected the nomination of John Rutledge to serve as Chief Justice, President George Washington nominated Ellsworth to the position. Ellsworth was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, and served until 1800, when he resigned due to poor health. He subsequently served on the Connecticut Governor’s Council until his death in 1807. Incredible condition for its age with some toning. Fascinating piece of history which mentions a firearm used in service in the ongoing conflict for Independence, and dated almost a year after the Declaration of Independence. ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Est. $120-240 396 396 RevolutionaryWar Connecticut, 1777 Promissory Note for Wages of Soldier While Prisoner of War. Hartford, Connecticut, 1777. Promissory note to pay Elisha Hopkins £25 Pounds, 18 Shillings and 5 Pence for “wages while a Prisoner,” and dated June 23rd, 1777 in Hartford. Signed by Pay-Table members John Chenward, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Church, and issued to John Lawrence Esq., Treasurer of Connecticut. Promissory Notes like this were issued by the State of Connecticut to help finance the Revolutionary War. The Pay-Table (also known as the Committee of Four) managed Connecticut’s military finances during the ongoing conflict. John Lawrence (1719-1802) served as treasurer of the Connecticut colony, and later as the Connecticut State Treasurer from 1769 to 1789, spanning the crucial period of colonial rule, through the American revolution, and into the early years of the United States. During the Revolutionary War, Lawrence was commissioner of loans for the new nation. Oliver Ellsworth (1745-1807) was an American lawyer, judge, politician, and diplomat. He was a framer of the United States Constitution, a United States Senator from Connecticut, and the third Chief Justice of the United States. In 1777, he became the state attorney for Hartford County, Connecticut and was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress, serving during the remainder of the American Revolutionary War. He served as a state judge during the 1780s and was selected as a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which produced the United States Constitution. While at the convention, Ellsworth played a role in fashioning the Connecticut Compromise between the more populous states and the less populous states. He also served on the Committee of Detail, which prepared the first draft of the Constitution, but he left the convention before signing the document. His influence helped ensure that Connecticut ratified the Constitution, and he was elected as one of Connecticut’s inaugural pair of Senators, serving from 1789 to 1796. He was the chief author of the Judiciary Act of 1789, which shaped the federal judiciary of the United States and established the Supreme Court’s power to overturn state supreme court decisions that were contrary to the United States Constitution. Ellsworth served as a key Senate ally to Alexander Hamilton and aligned with the Federalist Party. He led the Senate passage of Hamiltonian proposals such as the Funding Act of 1790 and the Bank Bill of 1791. He also advocated in favor of the United States Bill of Rights and the Jay Treaty. In 1796, after the Senate rejected the nomination of John Rutledge to serve as Chief Justice, President George Washington nominated Ellsworth to the position. Ellsworth was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, and served until 1800, when he resigned due to poor health. He subsequently served on the Connecticut Governor’s Council until his death in 1807. Great piece of Revolutionary War history that is in fantastic condition. Dates from less than one year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. ������������������������������������������� Est. $300-500