{"product_id":"1784-1787-revolutionary-war-era-merchant-ledger-colonel-clement-biddle-valley-forge-commissary-first-u-s-marshal-american-philosophical-society","title":"1784–1787 Revolutionary War Era Merchant Ledger – Colonel Clement Biddle – Valley Forge Commissary – First U.S. Marshal – American Philosophical Society","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"0e989c05-d405-4ee9-9a2a-96d1ce50d1a4\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2944\" data-end=\"3212\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn exceptional original Revolutionary War-era merchant ledger documenting commercial transactions between Philadelphia merchant \u003cstrong data-start=\"3072\" data-end=\"3090\"\u003eJames McLingan\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"3095\" data-end=\"3133\"\u003eColonel Clement Biddle (1740–1814)\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most significant military and commercial figures of early America.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3214\" data-end=\"3633\"\u003eThe account spans \u003cstrong data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3253\"\u003e1784 through 1787\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3635\" data-end=\"3694\"\u003eIncluded is the original folded address panel addressed to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3696\" data-end=\"3785\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3696\" data-end=\"3785\"\u003e\"Clement C. Biddle Esq., Member of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia,\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3787\" data-end=\"3918\"\u003ebearing a manuscript postal rate, \u003cstrong data-start=\"3821\" data-end=\"3829\"\u003ePAID\u003c\/strong\u003e handstamp, and original red wax seal. Contemporary docketing identifies the contents as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3920\" data-end=\"4021\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3920\" data-end=\"4021\"\u003e\"James McLingan Acct. Curr. with the Agency of Clement Biddle. Letter of March 6, 1787 enclosed.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4023\" data-end=\"4513\"\u003eColonel Clement Biddle served as \u003cstrong data-start=\"4056\" data-end=\"4139\"\u003eCommissary General under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War\u003c\/strong\u003e, helped supply the Continental Army at \u003cstrong data-start=\"4179\" data-end=\"4195\"\u003eValley Forge\u003c\/strong\u003e, later became \u003cstrong data-start=\"4210\" data-end=\"4251\"\u003eQuartermaster General of Pennsylvania\u003c\/strong\u003e, and was appointed the \u003cstrong data-start=\"4275\" data-end=\"4323\"\u003efirst United States Marshal for Pennsylvania\u003c\/strong\u003e by President George Washington in 1789. He was also an influential Philadelphia merchant, broker, and member of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"4440\" data-end=\"4474\"\u003eAmerican Philosophical Society\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4515\" data-end=\"4887\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"508\" data-end=\"934\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe ledger records numerous purchases and financial transactions beginning in \u003cstrong data-start=\"586\" data-end=\"604\"\u003eSeptember 1784\u003c\/strong\u003e and continuing through \u003cstrong data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"645\"\u003eFebruary 1787\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"936\" data-end=\"1388\"\u003eColonel \u003cstrong data-start=\"944\" data-end=\"974\"\u003eClement Biddle (1740–1814)\u003c\/strong\u003e was one of Philadelphia's foremost merchants, served as \u003cstrong data-start=\"1031\" data-end=\"1093\"\u003eCommissary General under George Washington at Valley Forge\u003c\/strong\u003e, later became \u003cstrong data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1149\"\u003eQuartermaster General of Pennsylvania\u003c\/strong\u003e, and in 1789 was appointed the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1229\"\u003efirst United States Marshal for Pennsylvania\u003c\/strong\u003e. He was also an early member of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1266\" data-end=\"1300\"\u003eAmerican Philosophical Society\u003c\/strong\u003e, which appears on the accompanying address panel. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1390\" data-end=\"1477\"\u003eIncluded with the ledger is the original free-franked folded address leaf addressed to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"1479\" data-end=\"1575\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1481\" data-end=\"1575\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1481\" data-end=\"1507\"\u003eClement C. Biddle Esq.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1510\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1512\" data-end=\"1558\"\u003eMember of the American Philosophical Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1561\"\u003ePhiladelphia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1722\"\u003ebearing a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1597\"\u003e\"PAID\"\u003c\/strong\u003e handstamp, manuscript postal rate, and original \u003cstrong data-start=\"1646\" data-end=\"1662\"\u003ered wax seal\u003c\/strong\u003e remnant. The docket on the reverse identifies the contents:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"1724\" data-end=\"1823\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1726\" data-end=\"1823\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1726\" data-end=\"1823\"\u003eJames McLingan Acct. Curr. with the Agency of Clement Biddle. Letter of March 6, 1787 enclosed.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1825\" data-end=\"1975\"\u003eThe combination of the accounting ledger and its original docketed wrapper provides excellent provenance and greatly enhances the historical interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1977\" data-end=\"1980\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"hrykuu\" data-start=\"1982\" data-end=\"1994\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1996\" data-end=\"2293\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1386n8z\" data-start=\"1996\" data-end=\"2028\"\u003eLarge folio laid paper ledger.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"qae3je\" data-start=\"2029\" data-end=\"2068\"\u003eApproximately three years of entries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"11a1pto\" data-start=\"2069\" data-end=\"2116\"\u003eOriginal ink remains dark and highly legible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"13zwg0l\" data-start=\"2117\" data-end=\"2136\"\u003eNormal fold wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"yxb6u3\" data-start=\"2137\" data-end=\"2186\"\u003eMinor edge wear and small separations at folds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1g3qik0\" data-start=\"2187\" data-end=\"2258\"\u003eOriginal address panel with partial red wax seal and postal markings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"13r54qe\" data-start=\"2259\" data-end=\"2293\"\u003eVery attractive display quality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52597999272218,"sku":null,"price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_1879.jpg?v=1785247036","url":"https:\/\/princetonaudubonprints.com\/products\/1784-1787-revolutionary-war-era-merchant-ledger-colonel-clement-biddle-valley-forge-commissary-first-u-s-marshal-american-philosophical-society","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}