May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
Timothy Pickering (1745-1829) as Secretary of State, autographed document signed, to David Lenox, dated "Department of State, 14 June 1799", 1 page (8 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.), bifolium sheet. Addressed on verso to "David Lenox, Esquire, Agent of the United States, London", Pickering encloses "certificates to enable you to procure the release of Thomas Jervey and George Gordon, two impressed seaman, the former of whom, on account of his misfortunes, his worthy character and respectable connections, I recommend to your particular attention, not doubting that the latter will also experience your usual good offices towards our seaman." Jervey (1778-1846) was from an old and well-connected (as seen above) Charleston, South Carolina. He had a bad luck period as a young merchant captain, being shipwrecked in 1798, losing most of his possessions and barely surviving, only to be subsequently impressed as a common sailor into the Royal Navy. Docketed on the recto in Lenox's hand and annotated that application had been made to the Board of Admiralty on August 3rd, which was answered Sept. 10th "as to Jervey--Bounty!" Jervey later wreaked his revenge on the British as captain of the Charleston privateer, "Saucy Jack" during the War of 1812. Later Collector of Customs in that port city for the last 32 years of his life. David Lenox (1753-1828) served as an officer in the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment, being captured during the assault on Fort Washington in 1776 and later exchanged. After the war, he reentered mercantile life in Philadelphia and became very successful. Appointed on September 26, 1793, Lenox served as a Federal marshal of the district of Pennsylvania, during which he was assaulted in the opening sequences of the Whiskey Rebellion. From 1799 to 1801, Lenox served as American Agent to the Court of St. James, during which he worked to exchange American sailors seized by the British and French during the Quasi-War. Returning to Philadelphia, he became founding President of the 1st National Bank of the United States. CONDITION: period folds, bright, clean and with strong ink signature. JLK
From an important Charleston, South Carolina collection.