May 10, 1766. · London
by Ross, George
London, May 10, 1766.. [1]p. plus integral address leaf. Quarto, on a folded folio sheet. Slight paper loss to address leaf, not affecting text. Slight separation at fold; other separations repaired. Minor soiling. Very good. In a folio-sized blue half morocco and cloth clamshell case, spine gilt. George Ross, a Pennsylvania signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Sir John St. Clair, Deputy Quarter Master General of the British Forces in America, regarding St. Clair's over-drafted account. George Ross was a lawyer, serving as the King's prosecutor for Lancaster, Pennsylvania from 1756 to 1768, after which he was elected to the Pennsylvania legislature; swayed toward the colonial cause, he was a delegate to the Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence. St. Clair was appointed Deputy Quarter Master General of the British forces in North America in 1754. He died just a year and a half after this letter was written.
Writing from London, possibly on official business, Ross includes a detailed list of the bills which have been paid out of St. Clair's account, beyond his available funds; the whole totals £386/1/2. His note reads:
"Dear Sir, I have your favour of 20th March advising Bill for £100, which I shall honour, to prevent the distress of its return, but I must request of you, for your own sake, not to draw again till your funds have discharged the above heavy ballance [sic]. For tho' my inclination to serve you be great, yet it is quite irregular as well as unsafe to have so great a ballance on an open account, without shadow of security. Your Subn. and Staff pay of last year will soon discharge this debt, and afterwards, I hope, you will be open to go on comfortably with your current income."
A good letter from Ross, before his crucial move into colonial politics. Ross letters are rare; there is only one letter signed in ABPC in the last thirty-five years, while all the rest are signed documents. (Inventory #: WRCAM42465)
Writing from London, possibly on official business, Ross includes a detailed list of the bills which have been paid out of St. Clair's account, beyond his available funds; the whole totals £386/1/2. His note reads:
"Dear Sir, I have your favour of 20th March advising Bill for £100, which I shall honour, to prevent the distress of its return, but I must request of you, for your own sake, not to draw again till your funds have discharged the above heavy ballance [sic]. For tho' my inclination to serve you be great, yet it is quite irregular as well as unsafe to have so great a ballance on an open account, without shadow of security. Your Subn. and Staff pay of last year will soon discharge this debt, and afterwards, I hope, you will be open to go on comfortably with your current income."
A good letter from Ross, before his crucial move into colonial politics. Ross letters are rare; there is only one letter signed in ABPC in the last thirty-five years, while all the rest are signed documents. (Inventory #: WRCAM42465)