![HOPKINSON, Francis (1737-1791), Signer, New Jersey. Autograph letter signed ("Fras Hopkinson Treas[urer] of Loans," with flourish), to Nathaniel Appleton, Comm[issioner] of Loans in Boston; Philadelphia, 13 March 1780. 1 page, folio, integral address leaf WITH HOPKINSON'S VERY RARE FREE-FRANK: "On public service," recipient's endorsement, paper evenly age-toned.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01630_1051_000(102125).jpg?w=1)
細節
HOPKINSON, Francis (1737-1791), Signer, New Jersey. Autograph letter signed ("Fras Hopkinson Treas[urer] of Loans," with flourish), to Nathaniel Appleton, Comm[issioner] of Loans in Boston; Philadelphia, 13 March 1780. 1 page, folio, integral address leaf WITH HOPKINSON'S VERY RARE FREE-FRANK: "On public service," recipient's endorsement, paper evenly age-toned.
A MILLION DOLLARS IN LOAN CERTIFICATES. It was one of Hopkinson's duties as head of the U.S. Loan Office to distribute adequate quantities of the Certificates, properly registered, to local offices. When subscribed or purchased, the local loan commissioner (Appleton in this case) would add details manually on the printed form, keeping a log of its sale and purchaser. Hopkinson informs Appleton: "Sir, I send you by Abner Barry...the following Loan Office Certificates...[he writes an 8-line list of Certificates in quantities from 50 to 400, in denominations ranging from $300 to $1,000, with registry numbers carefully noted] for the use of the Continental Loan Office in the State..." He requests "duplicate receipts as usual." The value of the Certificates being furnished, which Hopkinson has calculated at the bottom of the column, comes to $945,000: a very substantial sum for the time.
Continental Loan Certificates constitute the first bonded debt issue backed by all the 13 States. Hopkinson, a distinguished patriot and Signer, author and composer, served as Treasurer of Loans in 1778-1781. A few days after this letter, Hopkinson was named to a committee of Congress charged with the design of a flag for the newly independent nation.
A MILLION DOLLARS IN LOAN CERTIFICATES. It was one of Hopkinson's duties as head of the U.S. Loan Office to distribute adequate quantities of the Certificates, properly registered, to local offices. When subscribed or purchased, the local loan commissioner (Appleton in this case) would add details manually on the printed form, keeping a log of its sale and purchaser. Hopkinson informs Appleton: "Sir, I send you by Abner Barry...the following Loan Office Certificates...[he writes an 8-line list of Certificates in quantities from 50 to 400, in denominations ranging from $300 to $1,000, with registry numbers carefully noted] for the use of the Continental Loan Office in the State..." He requests "duplicate receipts as usual." The value of the Certificates being furnished, which Hopkinson has calculated at the bottom of the column, comes to $945,000: a very substantial sum for the time.
Continental Loan Certificates constitute the first bonded debt issue backed by all the 13 States. Hopkinson, a distinguished patriot and Signer, author and composer, served as Treasurer of Loans in 1778-1781. A few days after this letter, Hopkinson was named to a committee of Congress charged with the design of a flag for the newly independent nation.