MORRIS, Robert. Autograph letter signed (“Robt Morris”) as chairman of the Secret Committee, to Thomas Mumford, at Groton, Connecticut; Philadelphia, 6 July 1776. 1 ¾ pp., 4to, integral address leaf in Morris’s hand, postmark “Philadela. 8.” WITH MORRIS’S FREE FRANK SIGNATURE: “Free / R. Morris.” In very fine condition, remnants of wax seal.
MORRIS, Robert. Autograph letter signed (“Robt Morris”) as chairman of the Secret Committee, to Thomas Mumford, at Groton, Connecticut; Philadelphia, 6 July 1776. 1 ¾ pp., 4to, integral address leaf in Morris’s hand, postmark “Philadela. 8.” WITH MORRIS’S FREE FRANK SIGNATURE: “Free / R. Morris.” In very fine condition, remnants of wax seal. “ON THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” WRITTEN ONLY TWO DAYS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. Morris, on behalf of his Secret Committee, reports to Mumford on various matters pertaining to the collection and purchase of gunpowder and ingredients for its manufacture. “Your favour...came duly to hand, and we readily agree that you dispose of that in barrels of Montserat sulphur to Messrs. Wales and Elderkin in order to keep their Powder Mill going, but you must fix the price” since the Committee has not yet received an invoice. Various pending transactions are noted, including a shipment of powder from St. Eustatia, for which bills of lading are enclosed [not present]. Morris observes that Mumford’s agents on that island “appear to be attentive good men, deserving of the Confidence you repose in them. The freight of all this powder is fixed in Eustatia at 4 dollars for every hundred wt. which is very dear, but we suppose you must pay the same for the 250 half barrels, unless the owners of the Vessell should agree to take less. We will hereafter give orders respecting that Powder & such other Quantities we may arrive....” The recipient, Thomas Mumford, who had been the quartermaster for Connecticut troops around Boston in 1775, served so well that he had been appointed by Washington to fulfill the same function for the Continental Army. The main ingredient of gunpowder, sulphur, had to be imported from the Caribbean at high cost, as Morris notes. Morris’s postal frank is likely to be one of the earliest examples. Similarly, Morris specifies that he is acting “On the Service of the United States of America.” Provenance : Richard Maass.
MORRIS, Robert. Autograph letter signed (“Robt Morris”) as chairman of the Secret Committee, to Thomas Mumford, at Groton, Connecticut; Philadelphia, 6 July 1776. 1 ¾ pp., 4to, integral address leaf in Morris’s hand, postmark “Philadela. 8.” WITH MORRIS’S FREE FRANK SIGNATURE: “Free / R. Morris.” In very fine condition, remnants of wax seal.
MORRIS, Robert. Autograph letter signed (“Robt Morris”) as chairman of the Secret Committee, to Thomas Mumford, at Groton, Connecticut; Philadelphia, 6 July 1776. 1 ¾ pp., 4to, integral address leaf in Morris’s hand, postmark “Philadela. 8.” WITH MORRIS’S FREE FRANK SIGNATURE: “Free / R. Morris.” In very fine condition, remnants of wax seal. “ON THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” WRITTEN ONLY TWO DAYS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. Morris, on behalf of his Secret Committee, reports to Mumford on various matters pertaining to the collection and purchase of gunpowder and ingredients for its manufacture. “Your favour...came duly to hand, and we readily agree that you dispose of that in barrels of Montserat sulphur to Messrs. Wales and Elderkin in order to keep their Powder Mill going, but you must fix the price” since the Committee has not yet received an invoice. Various pending transactions are noted, including a shipment of powder from St. Eustatia, for which bills of lading are enclosed [not present]. Morris observes that Mumford’s agents on that island “appear to be attentive good men, deserving of the Confidence you repose in them. The freight of all this powder is fixed in Eustatia at 4 dollars for every hundred wt. which is very dear, but we suppose you must pay the same for the 250 half barrels, unless the owners of the Vessell should agree to take less. We will hereafter give orders respecting that Powder & such other Quantities we may arrive....” The recipient, Thomas Mumford, who had been the quartermaster for Connecticut troops around Boston in 1775, served so well that he had been appointed by Washington to fulfill the same function for the Continental Army. The main ingredient of gunpowder, sulphur, had to be imported from the Caribbean at high cost, as Morris notes. Morris’s postal frank is likely to be one of the earliest examples. Similarly, Morris specifies that he is acting “On the Service of the United States of America.” Provenance : Richard Maass.
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