AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED AND UNDATED TO MR. JAMES TREMBLE, PHILADELPHIA: DEAR SIR| IF IT WILL NOT BE GIVING YOU TOO MUCH TROUBLE YOU WILL OBLIGE ME VERY MUCH IN CARYING THE BUSINESS OF OBTAINING AN ORDER FOR PAYMENT OF SALLARY FROM THE FIRST OF JANUARY TO THE PRESENT TIME OR WHATEVER PERIOD THE CUSTOMS OF THE OFFICE HAVE ESTABLISHED. I SHALL BE IN THE CITY IN TWO OR THREE DAYS BUT CAN MAKE NO STAY. YOUR COMPLIANCE THEREFORE WITH THE ABOVE REQUEST WILL GREATLY OBLIGE YOUR SINCERE FRIEND & VERY HUMBLE SEVT. BENJN. RITTENHOUSE

5.5" x 7.5", in ink manuscript. Age toned, light dampstaining. Old folds, wax seal remnants on verso, small tears at top and bottom edges where seal was broken [no text loss]. A few short closed tears at edges [repaired with archival tape on verso]. Good.

Benjamin Rittenhouse (1740-1825), a Pennsylvania native, was a master clock and compass craftsman. According to the Smithsonian Museum of American History, he became "the most prolific compass maker working in America in the late 18th century." He was the younger brother of David Rittenhouse, a renowned astronomer, inventor and maker of scientific instruments, and most likely learned his craft from him. A Captain in the American Revolution, he was chosen to establish a gun lock factory to supply the American forces in that War. He also served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Assembly, and Associate Judge of Montgomery County. [Bud Uzes, Francois D., "The Brothers Rittenhouse." GIS Literature Database, University of Maine.]
James Trimble (1755-1837) was a Philadelphia native who began his career at the age of 15 years as a clerk in the Land Office; within five years he was appointed a clerk in the State Council. (Inventory #: 29683)