Revolutionary War–dated manuscript vellum DS, signed “Jos. Reed, President” and “Attest, T. Matlack Secy,” one page, 24 x 15.5, December 4, 1780. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania document confiscating the property of a Loyalist for treason. In part: “James Rankin late of the County of York Yeoman, had (among others) most traitorously and wickedly and contrary to the Allegiance he owed to us joined and adhered to, and then still did adhere to and knowingly and willingly aided and assisted the Army of the King of Great Britain then (and now) Enemies at open War against Us and the United States of America…did daily commit divers treasonable Acts without any sense of Honour, Virtue, Liberty or Fidelity to Us…And Whereas the said James Rankin did not render himself as aforesaid nor abide the Trial aforesaid…stands and is convicted and attainted of High Treason…and the Estate Real and Personal of what Nature or Kind soever of him the said James Rankin within our State stands and is forfeited to our use.” Neatly signed at the conclusion by Reed and Matlack. Seal affixed to lower left remains fully intact and seal to lower right mostly intact with two tips absent. In very good condition, with intersecting folds (heavy folds and creases passing through a portion of Reed’s signature), a few small stains, and Reed’s signature a few shades light. Rankin was accused of being involved in the ‘hostile enterprise’ of destroying ‘the public stores at York, Lancaster, Carlisle, and elsewhere,’ in support of the King’s army. The state government was able to confiscate his property under an act for ‘the attainder of divers Traitors,’ by which an accused person was automatically convicted of ‘High Treason’ if they did not appear in court, their estates becoming vested in the Commonwealth. A fantastic document demonstrating the high tension between opposing sides, as it contains some of the strongest language of any document we have seen from the period. RR Auction COA.
