Jonathan Dayton Autograph Letter Signed Serving on NJ General Assembly

1p, measuring 6.375" x 7.75", Philadelphia, dated September 12, 1787. Signed "Jona: Dayton" and addressed to an unnamed recipient. Regarding a case of power of attorney, the letter reads in part:

"I wrote to you last evening acquainting you that I had at length seen Capt. Truxton who informed me that upon my producing a power of attorney from Mrs. Bowman, he would pay me the wages due to her husband. I sent that letter by this morning's State in hopes that it would reach you this evening, but lest that should miscarry, I think it proper to put this in today's mail…" The letter has flattened mail folds and uneven edges. Toning and foxing throughout. There is mounting material along the left edge. With a bold and clear signature.

Jonathan Dayton (1760-1824) was the youngest member to sign the U.S. Constitution and later served as the country's third Speaker of the House. When the Revolutionary War broke out, a 15-year-old Dayton served under his father in the 3rd New Jersey Regiment. In 1777, he was commissioned a lieutenant and served under Washington at the battles of Brandywine Creek and Germantown. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to captain at the age of 19 in 1780. After the war, Dayton was a delegate to both the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. His image took a severe blow when he got entangled in Aaron Burr's conspiracy to conquer parts of the Southwest. He was arrested for treason in 1807, and although he was exonerated, the scandal effectively ended his political career.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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