Description:

Rare Early C. Carroll of Carrollton Signed Response to Letter, 1790

1p of a bifolium, measuring 7.5" x 12.25", Annapolis, dated December 1, 1790. An unusual letter from the Founding Father, in which he has copied a response letter he wrote onto the original letter received for his records. Signed "C.C. of C." The original letter (2pp of a bifolium) was written to him by Cornelius Howard, dated November 22, 1790. Howard had notified Carroll that a mistake had been made in crediting a recent client. The docketing on the letter, also in Carroll's hand, reveals that he answered Howard's letter on December 1, and notes "see answer within", where he wrote a copy of his letter on the third page. The letter has flattened mail folds, with small holes and separations from where the folds created wear. Tape to the third page cross folds has impaired some of the writing, but is still very legible. There is a hole from where the wax seal was broken along with some areas of insect damage. Light toning and soiling throughout. Boldly signed by Carroll.

Charles Carroll's response in full:

"I recd yesterday your letter of ye 22nd last, and am obliged to you for pointing out the mistake I had committed in crediting Samuel Lane's bond with the £19.19.9 paid by Lane last March on account of a second purchase made by him. I have not yet received any account with Samuel Lane for the second purchase as I have not received his bond, nor do I know the amount of it. I hope your health will permit you to buy off immediately the land which Mr. Owings had agreed to buy [illegible] where from you in a few days. I remain with regards…"

Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832) led an extraordinary life and was a key figure in the early development of The United States. In 1774, he was commissioned by Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Chase to seek aid from Canada, and while his efforts were unsuccessful, his future actions in Maryland proved most effective. In 1775, Carroll became a delegate to the Revolutionary Convention in Maryland and he was instrumental in convincing Marylanders to vote on behalf of independence. Due largely to the combination of his French-language fluency and Catholic ties, Carroll was sent to Canada again in 1776, right before he was named delegate to the Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776. When given the opportunity to sign the Declaration of Independence, on August 2, 1776, Charles Carroll reportedly replied that he would sign “most willingly.” As one of the wealthier members of the signers, Carroll had much more to lose than most of his companions. He remained on the Continental Congress until 1778 and he was a member of the Board of War from 1776-1777, giving significant financial support to the Continental Army. He declined re-election to the Continental Congress in 1780 and returned to Maryland to be elected to the Maryland Senate. Carroll acted as Senate president and was instrumental in the ratification of a State constitution, which ensured religious freedoms.

Upon the formation of the U.S. government, the Maryland legislature elected Carroll to be a member of the first U.S. Senate and he served in this capacity from 1789 to 1792. In this position, Carroll participated in the joint Senate House committee that approved and finalized the wording for the Bill of Rights to the US Constitution. When Maryland passed a law prohibiting anyone from serving at both the national and state levels, Carroll followed his loyalty to Maryland, giving up his national position in favor of the Maryland State Senate. He finally retired from public life in 1801, although he briefly came out of retirement in 1828 to lay the cornerstone for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Charles Carroll died in 1832, at the age of 96; he was the final signer of the Declaration of Independence to pass away. Today, Charles Carroll of Carrollton is best known for being the only Catholic signer and the last living signer.

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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