Description:

George Champlin
Newport, RI, March 5, 1785
George Champlin 1785 ALS Re: Outfitting the Schooner Polly
ALS

Autograph Letter Signed, "Geo: Champlin", 1p, 7.125" x 9.375", Newport, Rhode Island, March 5, 1785. Expected mailing folds and creases. Discoloration and spotting scattered throughout. Pencil notations from previous collector. Remnants of previous mounting at verso. In near fine condition. Accompanied by a catalog, invoice, and transmittal envelope from previous collector's purchase at Carnegie Book Shop, New York, 1973.

Champlin writes to Jonathan Arnold requesting payment for sugar, coffee, and outfitting the Schooner Polly. In full:

"Inclosed you have Cahoons Rect: for your Sugar and Coffe and likewise the amount of the Schooner Polly's outfits in which you'll find a Ballance due from you £102..6..47 Lmy [Lawful money] if you can furnish us five thousand good Hoops at 1372 doll[ar]s d[eliver]d here which is the price we give we will receive them in lieu of the cash, that is if you can furnish them imediately, request your speedy answer Respecting this matter and if you have any Hoops on hand and the terms propos'd suits send them down by Return of the Boat...P.S. The particulars against the S[chooner] P[olly] can be examined by you whenever you come to Newport as though it needless to send all the bills up to you."

George Champlin (1739-1809) was a prominent merchant from Newport, Rhode Island, who, along with his brother Christopher, was active in the slave trade. In 1785 and 1786, Champlin had been elected to, but did not serve in, the Continental Congress. He was opposed to the decision not to send delegates from Rhode Island to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and he was a member of the state Ratifying Convention in 1790. During the War, Champlin fled Newport and supported the colonies, becoming Lieutenant Colonel of the First Rhode Island Militia. Champlin served as president of the Bank of Rhode Island from 1807 until his death in 1809.

Jonathan Arnold (1741-1793) was an American physician and statesman, born in Gloucester, Rhode Island. He served in the Continental Army as a surgeon, and directed the army hospital in Providence. He represented Rhode Island as a delegate to the Confederation Congress in 1782 and 1783. While living in Rhode Island, Arnold's family had been given a slave, Ruth Farrow, as a gift. Arnold was a member of the Providence Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and freed Farrow, who continued to live with and work for members of the Arnold family until her death in 1841.

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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  • Provenance: Catalog, invoice, and original transmittal envelope from Carnegie Book Shop, New York, 1973.
  • Dimensions: 7.125" x 9.375"
  • Medium: ALS

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