Manuscript DS, beautifully signed “B. Franklin, Presidt,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 13, September 29, 1788. Document headed “To his Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire President of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania –The Petition of Jesse Mount, Creditor of Daniel Danser of the County of Philadelphia (late of Gloucester County in the State of New Jersey) Dealer and Chapman.” Document continues, “That whereas Daniel Danser using and exercising the Trade and business of a Dealer and Chapman by way of Bargaining, Exchange, Rechange, and Bartry and seeking his Trade of Living by Buying and Selling for just and good causes being indebted unto your Petitioner in the sum of Two hundred pounds and upwards…did become a Bankrupt within the meaining of the Acts of Assembly of this Commonwealth.” Signed at the conclusion by Mount, and signed by Franklin forwarding this petition to the Secretary of Council which orders “Let a Commission issue as prayed and direct it to Matthew Clarkson, George Hughes, Peter Boynton, Richard Bache [Franklin’s son-in-law] and David Lenox Esquires, any four or three of them.” Archivally sleeved in acid-free Mylar. Well done professional reinforcement to all three horizontal folds, a uniform shade of mild toning and some light soiling, a bit heavier along top edge, and light show-through from writing on opposing sides, otherwise fine condition.
The Executive Council comprised the executive branch of the Pennsylvania state government between 1777 and 1790. It was headed by a president and vice president (similar to a governor and lieutenant governor), with Franklin, its sixth president, being the most well-known. His presidency was one of his last acts of public service, as he died less than two years after leaving office. Franklin’s bold signature on this document—one that closely resembles the signature he added to the US Constitution a year earlier— was penned only three months after the Constitution went into effect and just seven months before George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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