细节
MORRIS, ROBERT, Signer (Pennsylvania). Autograph document signed ("Robt. Morris") as Superintendent of Finances, "Office of Finance," 24 April l782. One page, oblong 4to, traces of old mount on one edge of verso.
FUNDS FROM THE U.S. MINISTER AT PARIS, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Morris, already serving in the Pennsylvania Assembly, had been chosen Superintendent of Finances by Congress in February, charged with the enormous and daunting task of re-structuring America's crushing war debts and re-establishing the public credit. Morris's sweeping plan included taxes on specie, direct requisitions from the states to continue to pay the costs of the continuing conflict with Great Britain and, most importanly, loans from France. Franklin, Minister Plenopotentiary in Paris was empowered by Congress to negotiate loans from the Royal Treasury (for one such loan document, see Christie's New York, 7 December 1990, lot 198). "...Received of Charles Pettit [former Asst. Quartermaster General of the Continental Army]...twelve Setts of [Bills of] Exchange drawn by Francis Hopkinson Esq. [Treasurer of Loans] on the Honble. Doctor Benjn. Franklin Esq. Minister Plenip[otentiar]y at Paris Amounting in the whole to Nine Thousand and Eight Hundred Dollars, being the Bills which had been deposited in his care by Major J. Burnet & which are the Property of the United States...."
FUNDS FROM THE U.S. MINISTER AT PARIS, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Morris, already serving in the Pennsylvania Assembly, had been chosen Superintendent of Finances by Congress in February, charged with the enormous and daunting task of re-structuring America's crushing war debts and re-establishing the public credit. Morris's sweeping plan included taxes on specie, direct requisitions from the states to continue to pay the costs of the continuing conflict with Great Britain and, most importanly, loans from France. Franklin, Minister Plenopotentiary in Paris was empowered by Congress to negotiate loans from the Royal Treasury (for one such loan document, see Christie's New York, 7 December 1990, lot 198). "...Received of Charles Pettit [former Asst. Quartermaster General of the Continental Army]...twelve Setts of [Bills of] Exchange drawn by Francis Hopkinson Esq. [Treasurer of Loans] on the Honble. Doctor Benjn. Franklin Esq. Minister Plenip[otentiar]y at Paris Amounting in the whole to Nine Thousand and Eight Hundred Dollars, being the Bills which had been deposited in his care by Major J. Burnet & which are the Property of the United States...."