Description:

Fitzsimons Thomas

Thomas Fitzsimons ALS Regarding Large Debt

 

1p ALS signed by Revolutionary War-era politician Thomas Fitzsimons (1741-1811) as "Thos FitzSimons" at center right. Dated October 6, 1797 and addressed to "John Travis Esqr". On bifold paper with an integral address leaf. Docketed and bearing the remnants of a red wax seal. Expected folds overall, and a 2" long closed tear on the address leaf mentioned just for accuracy. Else near fine. 8" x 10".

 

In part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

 

"I find you are the holder of a note of mine for 3000 dollars that falls due on the 11th inst the difficulty of raising money at this time is such that I will Esteem it a favor if you will take 1000 dollars + 2 other notes 1 at 45 the other at 60 days for the balance + discounts…"

 

When Fitzsimons wrote this document, he was serving as one of two American debt commissioners appointed by President John Adams to ensure compliance with the terms of the recently decided Jay Treaty (1795). Fitzsimons was part of a 5-person mixed American and British panel tasked with investigating the pre-Revolution debt claims of British subjects against Americans.

 

Thomas Fitzsimons, an Irish émigré who began as a humble Pennsylvania counting house clerk, mobilized a militia during the Revolutionary War. Fitzsimons's unit was dispatched to the New Jersey coast and held as reserve forces at the Battle of Trenton (1776). Later, as a member of the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, Fitzsimons organized money, ships, and supplies for the war effort. By the 1780s, Fitzsimons became interested in politics. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1782 and 1783 as well as the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Fitzsimons was one of two Catholic signers of the U.S. Constitution. Between 1789-1795, Fitzsimons became one of Pennsylvania's first U.S. Congressmen. In later life, Fitzsimons headed the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce as well as the Bank of North America. He was also a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, and a contributor to the College of Georgetown.

 

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.

 

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. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


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.

February 26, 2020 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

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