An exceptional original Revolutionary War-era merchant ledger documenting commercial transactions between Philadelphia merchant James McLingan and Colonel Clement Biddle (1740–1814), one of the most significant military and commercial figures of early America.
The account spans 1784 through 1787, recording numerous purchases, credits, commissions, freight charges, imported Madeira wine, flour, chocolate, coffee, cotton, cash advances, and other mercantile transactions during the formative years of the new United States. The ledger offers a remarkable glimpse into post-Revolutionary Philadelphia commerce and the operations of one of America's leading merchant families.
Included is the original folded address panel addressed to:
"Clement C. Biddle Esq., Member of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia,"
bearing a manuscript postal rate, PAID handstamp, and original red wax seal. Contemporary docketing identifies the contents as:
"James McLingan Acct. Curr. with the Agency of Clement Biddle. Letter of March 6, 1787 enclosed."
Colonel Clement Biddle served as Commissary General under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War, helped supply the Continental Army at Valley Forge, later became Quartermaster General of Pennsylvania, and was appointed the first United States Marshal for Pennsylvania by President George Washington in 1789. He was also an influential Philadelphia merchant, broker, and member of the American Philosophical Society.
This is an outstanding survivor from the earliest years of the American republic, combining Revolutionary War history, early Philadelphia commerce, postal history, and the documentation of one of the nation's most important founding-era merchants. Comparable Biddle business manuscripts are scarce, particularly when preserved with their original docketed address wrapper.
The ledger records numerous purchases and financial transactions beginning in September 1784 and continuing through February 1787, shortly after the conclusion of the American Revolution. Entries include flour, Madeira wine, chocolate, cotton, coffee, cash advances, freight, commissions, and other imported goods, illustrating the daily operations of Philadelphia's commercial economy during the Confederation period.
Colonel Clement Biddle (1740–1814) was one of Philadelphia's foremost merchants, served as Commissary General under George Washington at Valley Forge, later became Quartermaster General of Pennsylvania, and in 1789 was appointed the first United States Marshal for Pennsylvania. He was also an early member of the American Philosophical Society, which appears on the accompanying address panel.
Included with the ledger is the original free-franked folded address leaf addressed to:
Clement C. Biddle Esq.
Member of the American Philosophical Society
Philadelphia
bearing a "PAID" handstamp, manuscript postal rate, and original red wax seal remnant. The docket on the reverse identifies the contents:
James McLingan Acct. Curr. with the Agency of Clement Biddle. Letter of March 6, 1787 enclosed.
The combination of the accounting ledger and its original docketed wrapper provides excellent provenance and greatly enhances the historical interest.
Condition
- Large folio laid paper ledger.
- Approximately three years of entries.
- Original ink remains dark and highly legible.
- Normal fold wear.
- Minor edge wear and small separations at folds.
- Original address panel with partial red wax seal and postal markings.
- Very attractive display quality.
