American statesman (1745–1829) who served variously as president of the Continental Congress, diplomat, and, from 1789 to 1795, first chief justice of the Supreme Court. Unsigned endorsement, “Ch. Justice Morris of Jersey, 29 May 1778,” on the reverse of the blank second integral page of an ALS from New Jersey Judge Robert Morris, signed “Robt. Morris,” one page, both sides, 7.25 x 9, dated May 29, 1778. Letter concerns a large tract of land he owned and the problem of the many loyalist tenants residing on the property. In part (with grammar and spelling intact): “I read a letter from the Commissioner of Sequestration of the lower part of Orange County, informing me that several of the persons set[t]led on the Patent to James Marcus Prevost Spitsbergh had gone off to the enemy, that most of those remaining were disaffected, and during my directions repeating the farms, which they were desirous of leaving, but said they were unwilling to do any thing that should be prejudicial to my interest—as I had no prospect of attending in season, and not thinking myself authorized to give them directions, I shortly stated the situation of the Patent; and lest my not attending might opperate against the public interest, I empowered them to leave the farms of the absconders in my name to such persons as offered, and promised them the same commissions for their trouble as they were intitled to in other instances as far as I was concerned, and told them I did not doubt that you and the other persons interested would do the same. that as soon as I was able I would attend and se[t]tle with them what proportion of the rents was due to the state, and what to the will affected proportions—I have since my return call’d on Judge Gost to know what was done. He informed me they had leased Lawrence Van Buskirk’s farm to Messrs. Green and Maw, and that there were a few more that they might have, but the people wanting places signifyed and unwillingness to live in so retired a neighborhood among people of doubtfull characters.—I was very desirous of seeing you consulting you respecting this business, and was at Pokeepsee in expectation of meeting you there at the time of the Albany court, but could not justify waiting your return.” Endorsed on the reverse of the second page by Jay, with the page also addressed to Jay by Morris. In very good condition, with intersecting folds, paper loss to second page, and scattered toning and soiling. The 5,000 acre tract was originally granted in 1775 to James Marcus Prevost, a British officer, from whom Morris purchased it in partnership with John De Lancy. Many of the tenants quit the land following the outbreak of the Revolutionary War to join the British, and many of those who remained were also suspected loyalists. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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