A president of the Continental Congress and signer of the Articles of Confederation (1741–1785), who also served as Washington’s aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War. Uncommon ALS signed “Jos. Reed,” one page both sides, 8 x 13, December 9, 1784. Letter to Declaration of Independence signer Elbridge Gerry. In part: “I receive with great Pleasure your kind Congratulations on my Return & shall be happy in every Opp[ortunit]y to express how much & how truly I value your obliging Friendship. Your Acceptance of a deal in Congress was an unexpected Pleasure as I was informed you had utterly declined it. Indeed your long Service might have intitled you to claim some Indulgence, but it is the more generous in you to waive it - & your Experience now enables you to render more important service. I was appointed without my Concurrence & with express Leave to consult my private Affairs which I must do to a considerable Degree if Congress remains at Trenton. But the Gentlemen in the Delegation conform so generally in Sentiment with each other & with those Interests which I particularly respect that I have the less Concern on that Head. You will find them Men of Principle & possessing Such Ideas of Government as I think you approve - I had heard of the Candidate for the Treasury & think with you a better may be found. Mr. Pettit's Talents lay in that Line & he is a Man of Principle. Take him in Temper, Skill in Acc[oun]ts & real Integrity. I do not think he has many supiners in this Country. I do not know the Value of the Appointment but I believe he will accept it if the Scale is not so parsimonious. He is not a man of Expense, Dissipation or Intrigue so that less will be necessary.” Affixed to the left of Reed's signature is a 4.75 x 1.75 portion of the free franked address leaf with "9 DE" and "Free" postmarks, addressed by Reed to "The Hon. Elbridge Gerry Esqr." Intersecting folds, scattered toning, dampstaining to edges, adhesive remnants along right edge of reverse, and a partial separation to central horizontal fold, otherwise very good condition. RR Auction COA.
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