Description:

Samuel Huntington
New Haven, CT, October 20, 1790
Samuel Huntington Commissions a Cavalry Cornet, Declaration Signer and Governor
Partially printed DS
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, Partially Printed Document Signed, Commission of Timothy Higgins, October 20, 1790, Hartford, Connecticut. 2 pp., 13" x 8". Witness signature by Secretary George Wyllys (1710-1796), who held the office of secretary of the Colony and then State of Connecticut from 1735 to 1795. Expected folds; minor tears on folds; stain at central vertical fold; bold signature; wax embossed seal present and intact; verso consists of what appears to be school attendance record for April 1853, perhaps used to stiffen commission paper.

This signed commission with a bold signature by Connecticut Governor Samuel Huntington appoints Timothy Higgins as the Cornet of the 2nd Troop of Horse. A cornet was the fifth commissioned officer in a cavalry troop, who generally carried the troop's colors.

Excerpt
"To Timothy Higgins Gen. GREETING.
"YOU being by the General Assembly of this State accepted to be Cornet of the 2d Troop of Horse in the first Regiment of light Dragoons, in the State afores[aid]. Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I DO by Virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and empower you to take the said Troop into your Care and Charge as their Cornet carefully and diligently to discharge that Office and Trust, exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms, according to the Rules and Discipline of War ordained and established by the Laws of this State, keeping them in good Order and Government, and commanding them to obey you as their Cornet, and you are to observe all such Orders and Directions as from Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officer, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
"GIVEN under my Hand, and the Public Seal of this State, at Newhaven the 20th Day of October A.D. 1790."

Samuel Huntington (1731-1796) was born to a large Connecticut farming family, Huntington left home at 22, taught himself enough law to pass the bar, and at 34, was appointed King's attorney for Connecticut. He resigned to join the Revolutionary Cause, and in 1775, represented his state as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Huntington signed the Declaration of Independence, and in 1779, members elected him as the 7th president of the Continental Congress. Under Huntington's presidency (1779-1781), the states ratified the Articles of Confederation as America's first constitution, and the Congress of the Confederation replaced the Continental Congress. Afterward, Huntington briefly retired from public life, hoping to revive his law practice and fortune. In 1784, voters elected him as Lieutenant Governor, a post that also made him Chief Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court. Elected Governor in 1786, Huntington served until 1796. Although Huntington favored strengthening the powers of the national government and ratifying the Constitution, he also jealously guarded the rights of Connecticut to its western lands based on its colonial charter. During his administration, Connecticut gave up its claim to the northern third of Pennsylvania and most of the Northwest Territory but achieved recognition of its preemptive land rights in the "Western Reserve" (now northeastern Ohio). Connecticut's ability to sell western lands strengthened its fiscal status, and Huntington, while governor, ensured that his state was well-represented at treaty councils with Native Americans of the Ohio territory.

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: 13" x 8"
  • Medium: Partially printed DS

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