Lot 214

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Description:

Pennsylvania Assembly Plans to Seek the "Voice of the People" for or against Convention for Revising State Constitution, then Reverses

[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] JOHN BAYARD, Manuscript Document Signed, March 1, 1779. 1 p., 7.625ʺ x 5.25ʺ. Expected folds and some tears on edges, not affecting text; general toning; very good. Ex-Scott Nicholson Collection.

The Pennsylvania Constitution, adopted on September 28, 1776, was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence from Great Britain and was perhaps the most democratic in America. Its highly democratic structure featured a unicameral legislature and a twelve-member collective executive.

In response to numerous petitions, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in November 1778 unanimously voted to hold a referendum in April 1779 on the question of convening a convention for revising the state constitution and electing delegates if the majority favored a convention. However, many citizens petitioned against the resolution calling for a referendum, and on February 27, 1779, the Assembly rescinded the resolution to hold a referendum. Dissatisfied with this reversal, critics such as Richard Bache, Benjamin Franklin’s son-in-law, insisted that the rescission was "contrary to those leading principles which should direct the Representatives of a free people."

In this pay warrant Speaker John Bayard orders state Treasurer David Rittenhouse to pay Philadelphia printers Melchior Steiner and Charles Cist for their printing of the resolves of the Assembly regarding this referendum, perhaps in their German-language newspaper or in handbills in German.

Complete Transcript:
March 1, 1779
Sir
Please to pay to Stiner & Cist, or their Order, the Sum of One Hundred and Twelve Pounds Ten Shillings for paper and printing the Resolves of Assembly for taking the Voice of the People Respecting a Convention.
John Bayard Speaker
To David Rittenhouse Esqr
£112..10..

[endorsement:] March 8th 1779 Receivd the Contents / ⅌ Chs Cist

John Bayard (1738-1807) was born in Maryland and moved to Philadelphia in 1755. He became a leading merchant and signed the non-importation agreement in 1765 in protest of the Stamp Act. He became a leader in the Philadelphia Sons of Liberty. He served in the Convention of Pennsylvania from 1774 to 1779, serving as speaker from 1777 to 1779. In 1775, Bayard became the colonel of a regiment raised to protect Philadelphia, and he fought with his regiment in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Princeton in 1777. He represented Pennsylvania in the Congress of the Confederation in 1785 and 1786. After the war, he settled in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he served as mayor from 1790 to 1793 and again from 1794 to 1796.

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.

Charles Cist (1738-1805) was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, to Moravian parents, as Charles Thiel, and graduated from Martin Luther University at Halle-Wittenberg with a medical degree. In 1769, he decided to emigrate to the United States and adopted the surname Cist. He settled in Philadelphia in 1773 and learned printing. Cist established a printing and publishing business with Melchior Steiner (d. 1807) and published a German-language newspaper. They dissolved their partnership in 1781.

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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