Financier and politician, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and founder of the Bank of North America. DS, signed “Robt. Morris,” one page, 7 x 2.75, December 21, 1795. Promissory note reading, “Nine months after date, I promise to pay to the order of James Greenleaf Five Thousand dollars for value received.” Signed at the bottom in black ink and endorsed on the reverse by Greenleaf. In very good condition, with two folds, tape reinforcement on reverse including one tape repair to a complete horizontal separation, overall toning and show through from endorsement on reverse. Accompanied by a seldom-seen accompanying notarized document, dated September 24, 1796, acknowledging payment of this debt.
The Financier of the Revolution had heavily speculated in western land following the war, creating the North American Land Company with James Greenleaf and Jonathan Nicholson, a partnership that probably leant itself to this promissory note. Although the North American Land Company owned thousands of square miles of land throughout many of the southern and mid-Atlantic colonies, the land market eventually collapsed, financially ruining Morris. A monetary link to the man who funded freedom. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
