Important financier (1734-1806) who signed the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution. Partly-printed DS, signed “Rob't Morris,” one page, 12.25 x 9.5, April 18, 1795. Stock certificate issued to "William Temple Franklin" for five shares in the entire property of the North American Land Company. Signed boldly at the conclusion by Robert Morris as president, and countersigned by the company's secretary, James Marshall, the brother of Chief Justice and Secretary of State John Marshall. In fine condition. Morris was eventually bankrupted by land speculations and served a few years in the Prune Street prison until released by the passage of the national bankruptcy law in 1802.
The recipient, William Temple Franklin (1760–1823), the grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was a diplomat and real estate speculator. Beginning at the age of 16, he served as secretary to his grandfather Benjamin Franklin, who negotiated and agreed to the Franco-American Alliance during the Revolutionary War.
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