Texas Association Blank Stock Certificate Signed by Secretary Duvall, rare!

1p partially printed, measuring 11" x 6.75", Louisville, Kentucky, undated. A blank stock certificate, no. 927, printed on cream paper and handsomely decorated with a Texas lone star at the top, two scrolled vertical panels reading "Grant 1844" and "By the Republic of Texas," and a vignette of a Plains Indian on horseback spearing a buffalo at the bottom. Signed by Texas Association secretary C. Duvall at the lower left, with cancellation strikes through the signature. In fine condition, with a minor area of fire damage at the lower right corner. Uneven edges. Boldly signed by Duvall.

This certificate would have granted one $500 share of Texas Association stock to the designated stockholder. The Texas Association was a joint-stock company formed in February 1844 by retired Virginia politician Charles Fenton Mercer. On January 29, 1844, Mercer had sought and obtained permission from Sam Houston, President of the Republic of Texas, to form a colony of Anglo-American settlers in Texas. Under empresario contract terms, Mercer was responsible for resettling a minimum of 100 families per year for 5 years on 640- or 320-acre plats within 8,000 square miles of northeastern Texas. The land extended along the 710-mile-long Trinity River, whose four branches flowed from the south from Gainesville to Liberty, Texas.

There was significant initial interest in the colony, but the Texas Association was beset by many problems. Texas Congress repealed the empresario system and overrode President Houston's veto on January 30, 1844, just one day after Mercer's permission had been granted. Legal battles followed, and Mercer liquidated his holdings in 1852. Mercer's settlement campaign provoked discussion not only about Texas law and presidential prerogative but also about Indian relations and the slavery question in Texas territory. This ceased being a local issue, however, when the United States formally annexed Texas in February 1846.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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