Lot 202
Chase, Samuel (1741-1811) Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Autograph Letter Signed as associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Baltimore, July 9, 1804, 1 pg octavo. Addressed to William Tilghman in Philadelphia. Chase recommends a Mr. Attenberry to fill a banking position. In part, "I hear that there are several vacanies in the Branch Bank in this City. I beg leave to recommend Mr. Attenberry to fill one of them. I believe him to be very worthy of…trust. I hope he will receive your Patronage…." Light toning; otherwise, Fine. Chase is in the rare group of signers, considered a 3 out of 5 in rarity.
At the time of this letter, at the instigation of President Jefferson, proceedings were under way to impeach Chase. His acquittal in 1805 strengthened the independence of the judiciary. Chase served on the Maryland committee of correspondence in 1774, was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1778, and again in 1784 and 1785. He signed the Declaration of Independence, but opposed the adoption of the Constitution. He was associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1796 to 1811. A recommendation from Chase in 1804 might have had an adverse, rather than a positive, effect. William Tilghman had served as a senator from Maryland before moving to Philadelphia to practice law and becoming Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
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