American merchant and a Founding Father of the United States. He was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation as a representative of New York in the Autograph Letter Signed, "Fran's Lewis & Son," to William Pollard. New York. 1 page, 4to; inlaid, backed, loss to two words at right edge likely from seal tear, holograph address panel inlaid on verso.
25.000 €
(96021)
Autograph Letter Signed, "Fran's Lewis & Son," to William Pollard, acknowledging receipt of money sent by Mr. Rotch, expressing gladness that Pollard received Kenneer's order, remarking that Mr. Johnston sailed for Jamaica, noting that Johnston's letters have not yet arrived, stating that the news which arrived by express [mail carrier on horseback] "has put this City in a violent ferment," and referring him to southbound expresses for details. ". . . Your last letter informs us that you had receiv'd the amount of Kenneer's order which we are glad to he[ar].
"Mr. Johnston with part of his family sailed f[or] Jamaica a few days before your last was received; you there say you forwarded his and our Letters, (suppose f'm Jamaica) by a Mr. Mitchell of this city, those letters are not yet come to hand. "The advices p[er] express from the Eastward has put this City in a violent ferment[;] expresses are forwarded to to [sic] the So[uth]ward with the particulars to which shall reffer [sic] you." On April 23, 1775, a broadside was printed and distributed in New York City with the headline, "The following interesting Advices were this Day received here by two Vessels from Newport and by an Express by Land," containing transcriptions of communications from Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen Hopkins and other leaders of Providence conveying the first reports of the battles of Lexington and Concord: ". . . about 1200 of the regular troops have proceeded from Boston toward Concord; and having fired on the inhabitants, and killed a number of them at Lexington, are now actually engaged in butchering and destroying our brethren in the most inhuman manner. . . .".