Description:

Revolutionary War

Province of New York Keeps Careful Books with Separate Provincial and “Continental” Expenses

 

ROBERT BENSON, Autograph Document Signed, Order, March 11, 1776, [New York City. 1 p., 8.25" x 12.5." Expected folds; some browning; fire damage to center affecting eight lines of text; reinforced. From the Library of Charles I. Forbes, not on the market since 1957.

 

Complete Transcript

                                                                        AM: March 11th 1776

Ordered that Mr Vanzandt Capt Denning Mr Beekman Coll Brasher & Mr Sands

Be a Committee to compose a pay table for the purpose of auditing all accounts against the Treasury of this Congress, that they or any three of them do Indorse Every account, they shall pass, that such Indorsement Be a sufficient voucher to the Treasurer for the Payment of such account, that the said Committee Do enter in a Book or books to be by them kept For the purpose a Regular account of all the Accounts by them passed, That they be empowered to hire and employ one able and sufficient [clerk, and a Room for the purpose, and that [this Congress will make provision for the payment [thereof. That they be directed to make a [separation in the Treasurers accounts between those [that are of A Continental nature and those that [are merely Provincial and keep them in a proper state [to be Transmitted to the Continental Congress or the Committee of Safety a State of the Accounts of this Colony From time to time as they shall be thereunto Required.

That the said Committee be allowed a Reasonable Compensation for their Service

                        A true copy from the minutes

                                                                        Robt Benson Secry

[Bracketed text missing; supplied from another source.

 

Historical Background

At this early stage of the American Revolution, the individual colonies wanted to be sure to keep accounts that indicated costs that were specific to the colony and costs that were “of a Continental nature” or part of the larger war effort. After the War, first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton convinced Congress in 1790 to assume the debts that the colonies/states had incurred during the Revolutionary War and pay them off. Congress assumed $1.2 million in state debts from New York, which placed New York in the middle of the thirteen states in the amount of indebtedness the federal government assumed.

 

 

Robert Benson (1739-1823) inherited his father’s brewery in 1762 and continued as a brewer for a few years before selling the business. He served as secretary of the New York Provincial Congress in 1775 and 1776, as secretary of the New York Senate from 1777 to 1784, and as aide-de-camp to New York Governor George Clinton. After the war, Benson bought farmland in Brooklyn and settled there. He was the older brother of Founding Father Egbert Benson (1746-1833).

 

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000