(Upper Louisiana/The Illinois) - Received in Payments Various Goods and Pelts to the Account of Auguste Chouteau in \"St. Louis of the Illinois\" May 19, 1795. Fine. A remarkable Chouteau hand-accomplished and signed document in French. This is an early instrument from the co-founder of St. Louis and enumerates a significant financial transaction in various essential goods from sugar, coffee, leather and its equivalents in specie and pelts. Laid paper, 18.5 cm by 24.5 cm. Not docketed on the back, but with some penned calculations. Early and important. Most Chouteau documents and his signed currency notes are accomplished around 1817-1819 during the Bank of Missouri period. That this document was penned and signed in 1795 for such a complex transaction is very interesting as few documents or financial instruments like this survived in the frontier. Normal fold wear, petty splits, and soiling along the bottom edge are seen, but this is boldly penned, has a superb signature at the bottom, and stands out as a bright note. This presents quite a unique appearance. French Transcription: Messieurs jean Pierre et ganichon Dter (possibly a contraction for Debiteur) a Chouteau Ce qui Suis Savoir Messieurs Jean Pierre and Ganichon [debtors] who are known to Chouteau 400 Lbs Sugar @ 4[unknown abbreviation] 800 No. 7 - 1. Baril du Cafe 227 lbs [u.abb.] 26 210 1. [? ] 186 19 413 45 45 368 lbs net @ 5 [u.a.] 920 5 Packets 1/5 - de tafia @ 500 2600 4320 5 [u.abb.] du Beauford @ 9 45 4365 1. Mouchoir Bernagord 10 L4375 En argent Egal En pelleterie 2130 Received on their note payable next April in St. Louis of the Illinois, May 1795 [signed] Augte Chouteau Pour acquit En Leur Billet payable en avril prochain St. Louis des Illinois 19 Mai 1795 Aug. Chouteau Translation : Messieurs Jean Pierre and Ganichon Debtors to Chouteau and are known to him 400 Lbs Sugar @ 4[unknown abbreviation] 800 No. 7 - 1. Barrel Coffee 227 lbs [u.abb.] 26 210 1. [? ] 186 19 413 45 45 368 lbs net @ 5 [u.a.] 920 5 Packets 1/5 - of T Ta?ga leather @ 500 2600 4320 5 [u.abb.] du Beauford @ 9 45 4365 1. Bernagord Handkerchiefs 10 L4375 in specie Equivalent in pelts 2130 Received on their note payable next April in St. Louis of the Illinois, May 1795 [signed] Augte Chouteau Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society \n\n
From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28317, realized $5760. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.
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