(Upper Louisiana/The Illinois) - First of Exchange from Matthew Clarkson \"to account of your adventure to the Illinois ...\" 75 Pounds Fort Chartres June 3, 1767. Fine. This unique, and elegantly styled, financial instrument is extremely important and historically significant. Its period of issue, frontier location, subject matter, and the parties involved are relevant to the early development of commerce in the western territories. It was hand accomplished and issued from Fort Chartres (Fort de Chartres) shortly after the 1763 Treaty of Paris ended the Seven Years War between Britain and France, and during British rule. This governmental, military, and trading outpost was situated in the Illinois Territory on the Mississippi River approximately 50 miles south of St. Louis. This exchange is directly tied to early fur trading in \"The Illinois\" area of Upper Louisiana, and its specific obligation using that language adds to the note's desirability. The Philadelphia firm of Baynton, Wharton & Morgan was the first to venture into the Illinois frontier, with George Morgan (Baynton's son-in-law) directed to oversee the operation. In letters to Franklin regarding boundary lines, they were supportive of the American cause. They sent Matthew Clarkson (later elected to the Pennsylvania Continental Congress) to Fort de Chartres to act as their superintendent. His diary charmingly recounts the journey from Philadelphia to Fort Pitt, but gives no details from his departure on November 26 to his arrival in Fort de Chartres on December 11, 1766. John Jennings, also working for the firm, kept a journal of his travel with a cargo of merchandise from Fort Pitt to Fort de Chartres, preceding Clarkson, and arriving April 6, 1766. Morgan arrived in Illinois in 1767. The payee, Daniel Blo?in, was a well-known French merchant and entrepreneur in Kaskasia. Up until 1767, he also owned a salt works and a lead mining operation, with the latter located in present-day Missouri. Although the arrival of Morgan disrupted agreements between the local government and French traders, Blo?in appeared to prosper, later removing to Detroit and stationing agents at Fort de Chartres and St. Joseph. This First of Exchange, not the second or third of the same (usually the ones encountered by collectors today), was endorsed over once on July 25, 1767, and was accepted in Philadelphia on August 31, 1767, by Baynton, Wharton, and Morgan in Philadelphia and apparently paid. However, at the bottom of the back is a further 1768 endorsement in French with the bill appearing to be used on the account of someone in New Orleans (Nouvelle Orleans) on February 8, 1768 with Blo?in as agent. Laid paper, 24.0 cm by 13.0 cm. No, 8. The back endorsements in French and English are perpendicular to the face accomplishment. The penciled marginalia appear to be in Chapman's hand. This is a remarkable first of exchange certificate, issued by a Pennsylvania notable, and accepted in Philadelphia. Recognized by collectors long ago for its historical character, and one of the more interesting fiscal instruments we have observed. There are some very minor chips out of the edges and normal fold wear. However, beautifully penned and a miracle of survival for collectors to study. A priceless piece of southern Illinois and Missouri-related history. Transcription: Exchange for ? Penns. Curr't Fort Chartres June 3, 1767 Sixty days after sight this our first of Exchange second nor third of same tenor and date being paid please to pay unto Mr. Daniel Blo?in or order the sum of Seventy five pounds Pennsylvania Currency for Value Received and Charge the same to account of your adventure to the Illinois without further advice from To Mess'rs. Gentlemen Baynton Wharton & Morgan Your most humb. Serv'ts. Mercht's. in Matth Clarkson No. 8. Philadelphia Jno. Jennings in modern collector pencil at top: Matthew Clarkson - Cont. Congress (Pa) Illinois Back Endorsements: Pay?r ? l'ordre de Mons L. Pintard Valeur recue pr. s/c de messrs. Musculus & Rondineau, Nlle. Orleans Le 25 Juillet 1767 ___________________________ Pay to the order of Mr. L. Pintard [for] value received [by order of?] Misters Musculus & Rondineau, New Orleans July 25, 1767 [signed] Blo?in Philada. August 31 1767 Accepted by Baynton Wharton & Morgan There is further French text below from New Orleans dated February 8, 1768. Enregistre en Registre [undecipherable for the rest of this line and most of the following two] de la Nlle Orleans le 8 fev. 1768 Recorded in the register [?] pour agent = Blo?in Paru By agent = Blo?in published in modern collector pencil at side: \"Matthew Clarkson 1733-1800 Member of Continental Congress from Pa.\" Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society \n\n
From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28316, realized $9600. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.
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