Lot 215

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Description:

Joseph Reed Signs Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council Fortifies Philadelphia and the Delaware River

[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] JOSEPH REED, Manuscript Document Signed, October 18, 1779. 1 p., 7.25" x 6". Expected folds; some tears on edges and along one fold, not affecting text; general toning; very good.
Ex-Scott Nicholson Collection.

After nine months of occupation, the British evacuated Philadelphia in mid-June 1778 to reinforce New York. Americans soon began to strengthen Philadelphia’s defenses to prevent the British from retaking the city. On May 14, 1779, the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania considered a proposal for the defenses of the Delaware River and Philadelphia drawn up by French General Louis Lebègue Duportail, who served as chief engineer in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He helped plan fortifications from Boston to Charleston, South Carolina. The Council resolved that Colonel John Bull, Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania Militia, should proceed to implement Duportail’s plan "with all expedition." The Council agreed to pay Bull $24 per day for his service in "superintending & directing" the work. 

In this pay warrant Pennsylvania President Joseph Reed orders state Treasurer David Rittenhouse to pay Colonel Bull £2,000 to pay workmen on the defenses of Philadelphia.

Complete Transcript
For £2,000.. .. In Council
Philadelphia October 18th 1779
Sir
Pay to Colonel John Bull or his order the Sum of two thousand pounds for the purpose of paying the workmen employed by the State under his direction for which sum he is to account.
Jos: Reed / President
To David Rittenhouse Esquire / Treasurer


[endorsement:] Receivd Octor 18 1779 of David Rittenhouse the sum of Two Thousand Pounds being ye Contents / Jno Bull
£2000—


Joseph Reed (1741-1785) was born in New Jersey but grew up in Philadelphia. He graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) in 1757. From 1763 to 1765, he studied law at Middle Temple in London. He returned to Philadelphia, where he established a successful law practice. At the request of George Washington, Reed left his law practice to serve as a trusted secretary and aide-de-camp to Washington. In 1778, Reed was one of the Pennsylvania delegates to sign the Articles of Confederation. On December 1, 1778, he was elected President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, and he served in the position until November 1781. As President, he oversaw the abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania and the passage of a provision for Revolutionary War soldiers to receive lifetime half-pay.

David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) was born near Philadelphia and was self-taught from his family’s books. He showed great ability in science and mathematics and became an inventor. He constructed two orreries for the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) and the College of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania). He worked as a surveyor for Great Britain and later served as treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1789. In 1784, he and another surveyor completed the survey of the Pennsylvania-Maryland border begun by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in 1763 and interrupted in 1767. President George Washington appointed Rittenhouse as the first director of the United States Mint, which opened in 1792.

John Bull (1731-1824) was born in Pennsylvania and was appointed Colonel of Pennsylvania’s Second Regiment in May 1777. Six weeks later, the Supreme Executive Council appointed him as Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania Militia.

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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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