Description:

Oliver Ellsworth Twice Signed Pay Order in the Year of the Constitution

Autograph Document Signed, "Oliv Ellsworth", 1p, 7.875" x 4.625", Hartford, March 15, 1787. Docketing at verso, where Ellsworth signs a second time as "Oliv Ellsworth / Order / £16". Accompanied by a portrait engraving of Ellsworth with facsimile signature. Flattened folds, light toning and scattered foxing. Some ink splatter at verso. In fine condition.

Ellsworth orders the Treasurer of Connecticut, John Lawrence, to "pay Maj. Tho. Bull on order Sixteen pounds out of monies raised for the Civil list & charge the same on my Debenture for amending the Super. Court". 

Ellsworth participated in the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia as a delegate from Connecticut and played a major role in the adoption of the Connecticut Compromise, an agreement reached during the Convention that in part defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution. The Compromise was adopted by the Convention on July 16, 1787. Ellsworth signed the here-offered document during this monumental year. 

Financing the Revolution laid a heavy burden upon each colony, especially those which balked at levying taxes. In order to meet immediate needs such as wages, the colonies relied upon wealthy revolutionaries, foreign loans, and taxes and gifts from abroad. The Pay Table handled the military finances for the colony of Connecticut during the American Revolution. Also known as the Committee of Four, its members at different times included Oliver Ellsworth, Jedidiah Huntington, William Moseley, Hezekiah Rogers, Jesse Root, Thomas Seymour III, Fenn Wadsworth, Eleazer Wales, Ezekiel Williams, John Chenward, Oliver Wolcott Jr., and Samuel Wyllys.

Oliver Ellsworth (1745-1807) was a Founding Father of the United States, attorney, jurist, politician, and diplomat. Ellsworth was a framer of the United States Constitution, United States senator from Connecticut, and the third chief justice of the United States. Additionally, he received eleven electoral votes in the 1796 presidential election.

Jonathan Lawrence (1719-1802) served as treasurer of the colony and then the state of Connecticut for twenty years from 1769 to 1789. During the Revolutionary War, he was also commissioner of loans for the United States.

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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