Cyrus Griffin autograph letter signed ("C Griffin"). Two pages of a bifolium, 7.25" x 9", Richmond, [Virginia]; August 29, 1786. Integral address sheet. Docketed. Cyrus Griffin, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, criticizes Congress in a letter to another judge. Letter from Griffin, then Judge of the Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, to John Lowell (1743-1802), a fellow judge on the court, in which he criticizes Congress for being parsimonious concerning funding for judges' salaries and expenses. Letter reads, in full: "I do myself the pleasure to ask if you intend to [go to] N. York in November upon the business of appeals. I am afraid no money will be hand to defray our expenses; it would be worth attention to make the proper enquiry. How inconsistently Congress have acted in ordering the salary of the Judges to cease, and now and again obliged to call them together: have you not heard that party business predominated in that affair. I hope your Lady and family are in the best health. The Massachusetts delegates will do me the honor to transmit this letter to you, & the Virginia gentlemen will forward the answer you shall please to make. I am, my dear Sir, with great esteem and regard your obedient friend & humble servant". Signed, "C Griffin". Cyrus Griffin (1748-1810), a Virginia lawyer and politician, was the final president of Congress under the Articles of Confederation and first U.S. District Judge for the District of Virginia. He served on the Second Continental Congress as a delegate from Virginia from 1778 to 1780. Griffin was a Judge of the Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture from 1780 to 1787. He was a member of the Federalist party and served as United States Commissioner to the Creek Nation in 1789. John Lowell (1743-1802), born in Massachusetts, was a delegate to the Confederation Congress, a Judge of the Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, a U.S. District Judge for the District of Massachusetts, and a United States Circuit Judge of the U.S. Circuit Court for the First Circuit. An example of a rare autograph of a founder of the United States. Condition: Light toning and foxing. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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