Description:

Revolutionary War
Philadelphia, PA, ca. 1790-1792
Auditor's Office Considers Suspended Claims from Financing the Revolutionary War
MD
[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] Manuscript Document, "List of suspended Claims &c Lodged in the Auditors Office, in the Iron Chest," ca. 1790-1792, [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]. 4 pp., 8" x 12.75". General toning; some staining at interior margin; small separations on folds.

This list of thirty-eight suspended claims concerns a variety of loan certificates submitted to the Auditor's Office, for which there was insufficient evidence of the validity of the claim or the authority of those who issued certificates.

The entries mention a variety of individuals, including New York City merchants Horace Johnson and Seth Johnson (1767-1802); Philadelphia notary Edward Fox; commissioner Edward Davis of Georgia; John Pierce (ca. 1736-1819) of Virginia, who served as purchasing commissary of provisions in 1777, assistant commissary general for Virginia (1780-1781), and commissary general for Virginia (1781-1782); Philadelphia broker Alexander Power(s); Albany, New York, merchant Robert Henry; Baltimore merchant John Oliver; Philadelphia broker and banker Thomas A. Biddle Sr. (1776-1857)

At least three of the entries are for counterfeit certificates, and one other was "supposed fraudulently issued." Notations on eight others, some dated 1793 and 1794 indicate that the certificates had been "settled," "delivered" to a specified individual, or "taken up" as part of specified reports.

Excerpts
"List of suspended Claims &c Lodged in the Auditors Office, in the Iron Chest"

"7. Two Loan Office Certificates signed by Ed Davis State of Georgia, not taken up, as no certainty as yet, can be had of Davis's being authorized to issue Certificates—left by Wm Forest."

"12. A Counterfeit Certificate said to be issued by Benj Walker"

"13. Five LO Certificates issued by Ed Davis State of Georgia (see No 7) left by Blair McClenachan"

"18. A Certificate, supposed fraudulently issued, left by John Cross of New York"

"32. A Certificate issued by James Coakly, not returns, left by J. Boggs for Charles Pope."

"36. Sundry Do by Lord Butler, no returns left by Thos Biddle for Wm Geise [note:] part taken up & the rest returned See Report 4187"

"38. 10 Certificates the property of Geo Lewis left by Mr Thos Biddle."

Historical Background
Throughout the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress issued Loan Office certificates, which were interest-bearing bonds. The Continental Treasurer (initially U.S. Treasurer Michael Hillegas or his son Samuel; later Treasurer of Loans Francis Hopkinson) signed Loan Office certificates, which were sent to loan officers in each state to be sold to investors. Once issued, these certificates could be bought and sold. Because the Continental government had difficulty meeting its financial obligations, it ceased making interest payments on the Loan Office bonds in 1782.

With the creation of the new federal government in 1789, the Treasury Department included an Auditor, a position first filled by Oliver Wolcott Jr. (1760-1833) of Connecticut from 1789 to 1791. Wolcott became the Comptroller in 1791 and succeeded Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury in 1795. William Smith (1728-1814) of Maryland succeeded Wolcott as Auditor for four months in 1791. Virginia merchant Richard Harrison (1750-1841) succeeded Smith late in 1791 and held the position until 1836.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 12.75"
  • Medium: MD

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