DeWITT CLINTON SIGNS A DOCUMENT, ATTESTING THAT A NEW YORK WOMAN QUALIFIES FOR A PENSION

DeWITT CLINTON (1769-1828). Clinton, a New York City Mayor and New York Governor, was the prime force behind the Erie Canal. He unsuccessfully ran against James Madison for President in 1812.

DS. 1pg. 7 ½” x 9 ½”. 2d Jany 1807. New York. A document signed “DeWitt Clinton” as Mayor of New York City. He attested that “John Pritchard of the City of New York, being duly sworn deposed and saith that Mary Hanson, Widow and relict of John Hanson, late of the City of New York, deceased…is at present living and residing in the city of New York…”. Attached is a handwritten letter from Many Hanson addressed to Archibald McIntyre, stating that she is enclosing “the vouchers that entitle me to receive the quarterly payment due the first Instant…”. The bottom of the Clinton page was removed, and the document has the usual mailing folds.

THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND WRITES TO THE GOVERNOR OF MASSACUSETTS ABOUT A FUGITIVE IN 1798

ARTHUR FENNER (1745-1805). Fenner was Governor of Rhode Island from 1790-1805.
 

LS. 2pgs. February 2, 1798. Providence, [Rhode Island]. A letter signed “A Fenner” as Governor of Rhode Island and written in another hand. Fenner wrote to Massachusetts Governor Increase Sumner concerning a fugitive. “Sir Application has been made to me according to the Constitution and Laws of the United States, to request your Excellency to cause to be apprehended a man of the mane of John Simmons a fugitive from the Justice of his State. I have the honour to forward herewith to your Excellency…and also a Warrant returned by an officer that the person charged is not to be found in his precinct. The man charged belongs to the town of Ne Bedford in your Commonwealth & is now resident there. I have therefore to request your Excellency immediately to take such steps as may be most expedient for the apprehending & securing the said John Simmons…I have the honour to be with great Respect your Excellencys most obedient & very humble servant. A Fenner”. The letter is essentially an early example of an interstate fugitive warrant. It is in good condition, with a sizable tear on the inner margin, probably from the seal, that does not affect the text.

W. AVERILL HARRIMAN SIGNS A PHOTOGRAPH TO AMBASSADOR WILLIAM BLAIR

W. AVERILL HARRIMAN (1891-1986). Harriman was an American politician and diplomat. He was Secretary of Commerce under President Truman.

WILLIAM McCORMICK BLAIR, JR. (1916-2015). Blair was U.S. Ambassador to Denmark and the Philippines.

PS. 9 3/8” x 7 ½”. N.d. N.p. A black-and-white photograph signed “W. Averill Harriman”. The photograph depicts Harriman overseeing William M. Blair Jr. being sworn in as Ambassador, and he inscribed the photo to Blair. “All best wishes to out superlative Ambassador with my warm regards W. Averill Harriman”. The image probably dates from Blair’s appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines in 1964; Harriman was Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs at the time. The photo is in fine condition, but there is not a lot of contrast between the inscription and the dark background on which it was written.

HUBERT HUMPHREY SIGNS A PHOTO TO AMBASSADOR WILLIAM BLAIR

HUBERT HUMPHREY (1911-1978). Humphrey was Lyndon Johnson’s Vice President and a Senator from Minnesota.

WILLIAM McCORMICK BLAIR, JR. (1916-2015). Blair was U.S. Ambassador to Denmark and the Philippines.

PS. 9.5” wide x 8” high. N.d. N.p. A black-and-white photograph inscribed and signed “To Bill Blair, a distinguished and excellent Ambassador, but about all, a dear friend with affection. Hubert Humphrey”. The photo depicts Blair welcoming Vice President Humphrey to Manila. There is light damage to the lower left corner and a description on U.S. Embassy letterhead taped to the verso. In very good condition; Humphrey’s inscription has faded somewhat.

HUBERT HUMPHREY INSCRIBES AN OVERSIZED PHOTOGRAPH FOR DIPLOMAT WILLIAM BLAIR

HUBERT HUMPHREY (1911-1978).  Humphrey was a Democratic Senator from Minnesota, the Vice President under Lyndon B. Johnson, and the unsuccessful Presidential candidate in 1968. Humphrey played an instrumental role in the passing of the milestone Civil Rights Act 1964.

WILLIAM BLAIR (1916-2015).  Blair was President Kennedy’s Ambassador to Denmark and President Johnson’s Ambassador to the Philippines.  He was also law partner with Adlai Stevenson.

PS. 11 ½” x 14 ½”. No date. No place.  An oversized photograph signed “Hubert H Humphrey”.  He inscribed it “To Bill Blair – Ambassador, Scholar, Politician, Gentleman and friend – all ‘extraordinary’ qualifying him for the honorable title ‘His Excellency’ – with admiration Hubert H Humphrey”.  It is framed and in fine condition.

NEW YORK STATE BOND SIGNED BY COMPTROLLER WILLIAM LEARNED MARCY

WILLIAM L. MARCY (1786-1857). Marcy was Secretary of State and War, comptroller of New York, New York Governor and Senator.

DS. 1pg. 7 ½” x 12 ¼”. January 14, 1828. Albany. A bond signed “W.L. Marcy” as New York State Comptroller. It reads: “New York State 5 per cent Stock. State of New York Comptroller’s Office…Be it Known, That the People of the State of New-York are indebted to the President, Managers and Company of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, or their order, in the sum of one thousand dollars, bearing interest at the rate of five per cent per annum…In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, the day and year above written. W. L. Marcy. Comp.” The certificate has two vertical folds that do not affect the quality of the signature. The certificate also bears a large “X” in ink between the two folds, which, it is assumed, means the debt was fulfilled. Luckily, this mark ends just above the Marcy signature, leaving it untouched. The complete New York State Comptroller’s office seal is visible on the upper left part of the certificate.