WILLIAM FRANKLIN
(1731 - 1813) Loyalist illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin, the last Royal Governor of New Jersey. Important manuscript D.S., 3pp. 13" x 16 1/2", [Trenton], Dec. 5, 1769, "An Act appointing Commissioners for Supplying the several Barracks Erected in the Colony of New Jersey with Furniture and other Necessaries for Accommodating the King's Troops in or marching thro the same, for supplying Deficiencies and for defraying Incidental Charges...". The bill appoints about 20 men as commissioners to oversee five barracks within the state. The commissioners are allotted 500 pounds each from the states treasurer to purchase vinegar, beer, molasses, firewood, bedding, etc. Franklin is also reimbursed for his travel to and from Fort Stanwix for the signing of the Treaty of Fort Stanwix settling land and boundary disputes between the Six Nations and colonists. Other entries make reimbursements for a printing press purchased for government use, express shipments, and other governmental necessities. Also signed by CHARLES READ and Speaker of the House CORTLAND SKINNER. Multiple fold splits with no loss call for restoration of this important document - signature is not affected. The Treaty of Fort Stanwix was signed on Nov. 5, 1768 with one signatory for each of the Six Nations and in the presence of representatives from New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The Indian nations present received gifts and cash totaling £10,460 sterling, the highest payment ever made from colonists to American Indians. At the same time, the colonists were chafing under the much-hated Quartering Act and other British laws which effectively forced the colonists to support the occupying British Army - as seen here.