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Autograph Letter Signed GEORGE CLYMER 1796

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Autographs

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Signer George Clymer Autograph Signed Letter

GEORGE CLYMER, Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution from Pennsylvania.
January 6, 1796, Autograph Letter Signed, "Geo Clymer" in brown ink on the second page of a letter with integral address leaf, Philadelphia, PA, Very Fine. Measuring 8" x 6.25" this letter is addressed to "John Shippen Esq., West Chester, Pennsylvania" and reads, in part:
"...Hearing nothing to the contrary I did not know that Cross's plantation had been already sold under the execution until his son called upon me a day or two ago with a small payment, requesting further time, alleging that a few weeks more would afford him the means of raising, from the sale of a portion of the land a sufficiency to satisfy the whole debt. This appeared so reasonable that I gave him an expectation, without an absolute promise, of a compliance with his request. He may be mean to deceive me for any thing I know but even this would be better than I had to do any thing that would bear the appearance of hardship. I would therefore wish to have the sale suspended for a month or ten weeks. By that time we shall know whether the expectation he has raised is to be valued... If not, after waiting so many years, I think no one can accuse me of too great haste in ordering the sale..."
A few small edge tears in the margin, and absence near the wax seal, not affecting the signature or text. Some slight stains, else very fine.

Clymer was an ardent patriot for whom signing the Declaration of Independence fulfilled "his dearest wish." He worked tirelessly during the Revolution, serving in the Continental Congress (1776-78, 1780-83), and on the War and Treasury Boards.

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