Autographs
Signer “Lewis Morris” Autograph Letter
LEWIS MORRIS. Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Autograph Letter Signed, “Lewis Morris,” 2-1/2 pages, Morrisania (NY), July 9, 1790, 9.5” x 7.75”, Choice Extremely Fine. Written on fine, laid, watermarked paper to his son, Lewis. He writes a great deal about horses, including a mare of his son’s he is breeding with a stallion of his. He mentions his half-brother, Gouverneur Morris, “I saw a very fine colt of his belonging to Mr. Gour. Morris...,” the crops, “...the wheat and Rye will be fit to cut next week...some of good judgment say it will yield 30 bush.s per acre...I hope in a few years ...to turn the corner and be out of debt.” He asks his son for money, “...if you could by any means advance for me ...about Eight hundred pounds more I will secure you by giving you a mortgage on two hundred acres of Morrisania...” More chatty, family business, very neatly and boldly written and signed in dark brown ink. Lewis, the son to whom the letter is written, was a member of the House of Representatives from 1797-1803; it was he who withheld his vote on the 36th ballot in the Jefferson-Burr contest for the presidency and was responsible for turning the election to Jefferson.