Beschreibung:

Contract between Varick as assignee of the mortgage on property in Jersey City and trustees of the Jersey Company, 13 Jan. 1825, 11 pp, 8 x 12.5 in. with ribbon and wax seal and blindstamp. Signed by Richard Varick and Peter Radcliff as President of the Jersey Company. The plan proposed includes building piers and warehouses on the property on the Jersey side of the Hudson River. (These plans would later be altered by Cunard for the accommodation of transatlantic mail service. See Lot 94) Richard Varick, born in Hackensack, NJ in 1753, was a law student when the Revolutionary War began. He became a captain in the 1st New York militia, and served under General Philip Schuyler in various positions. In 1780 he became inspector general of West Point, and an aide to General Benedict Arnold. Arnold's treason caused Varick extreme distress, because he had greatly admired his ability as a soldier. After being cleared of any complicity in Arnold's actions, Varick became a private secretary to General Washington until the end of the war. After the war he served in various capacities: Recorder of New York (1783-1789); NY State Attorney General (1788-1789); Mayor of New York City (1791-1801). He was also a member of the state assembly, bank officer, member of the American Bible Society and Society of Cincinnatus. Condition: Light toning and expected folds. Minor scuffing on lower right corner of a couple pages that stick out from the others. Else in very good condition.