Lot 200
Reed, Joseph (1741-85) Military secretary to George Washington; Revolutionary War officer; President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Manuscript Letter Signed ("Jos. Reed / President"), In Council Philadelphia, September 15, 1781, 3 pages + address leaf (2 conjoined sheets), 13 x 8 in. To "Messrs. Lukens Kennedy and Johnston, Officers of the Land-Office," who have asked direction from the Supreme Executive Council regarding applications for large tracts of land made by Robert Patton, William Parr, Alexander Power, and others. Reed responds that the Acts of Assembly confer no "judicial or authoritative Power" on the Council to decide those matters, and that the constitution of the state "has carefully separated the executive from the Legislative and Judicial Powers." He notes that the "Landed Interest of the State…should be uniform and consistent," and since the Council changes every three years, it might allow rules and regulations "which must eventually prevent that Stability of Title, so necessary for the cultivation and improvement of a young Country. To this it may be added, that during the War and probably for some time afterwards the Council will not be able to devote the time necessary to hear and judge between the contending parties…."
A well-thought-out and precise letter, written like the lawyer that Reed was, in his third year as President of the Supreme Council of Pennsylvania. During his presidency (1778-81), Reed championed the gradual abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania and caused Benedict Arnold to be prosecuted on charges of corrupt practices. He was also a trustee and founder of the University of the State of Pennsylvania. The laid, watermarked paper is toned overall and has numerous fold breaks repaired with archival tape, one passing through the top of the "P" in "President," none of which affects the legibility of this interesting Revolutionary War document.
Estimated Value $700 - 900.
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| Realized $414 |
