MENTIONS CHARTER FOR BANK OF NORTH AMERICA
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STEPHEN, ADAM. Autograph Letter Signed, “A Stephen,” to General Horatio
Gates (“My Dear General”), remarking on the rainy weather, reporting receipt of a letter
from Major Richmond, conveying that Weedon had left a letter for Gates, wishing that he
might visit Gates in better weather, and expressing his view that [Thomas] Paine fails to
adequately answer objections [in the controversy concerning the charter for the Bank of
North America]. 1 page, small 4to, two seal tears with minor loss to text expertly repaired
with paper, inlaid, folds, docketing on verso in Gates’s hand.
Np, 2 June 1786
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. . . I think there is no hope of the Charters being returned to the Bank. I have seen both
Sides, and in my Opinion, Payne [sic] is worsted. He endeavours to turn to Ridicule what
objections he can’t Answer. There is a pamphlet wrote by an American, By Franklin I suppose,
or one under his Eye, very worthy of him, Clear and demonstrable, the Author, Master of the
Subject.”
The Continental Congress granted a charter in 1781 for the establishment of the nation’s first
bank, the Bank of North America. In 1785, after the bank refused to issue paper money to
ease the post-Revolution scarcity of money, the Pennsylvania Assembly repealed the charter. In
February of 1786, Thomas Paine published his pamphlet
Dissertations on Government,
in
which he argued that the Assembly’s repeal was unconstitutional. Benjamin Franklin wrote
repeatedly on the subject of paper money, including his tract, “Of the Paper Money of
America,” 1781.
Stephen (1730-1791) served with distinction in the French and Indian War, and during the
Revolution, he commanded first a regiment, later a division as major general. At Germantown,
confused by fog, his division mistakenly fought the troops of General Anthony Wayne, after
which Stephen was accused of intoxication and dismissed in 1777.
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ZITKALA-SA (GERTRUDE BONNIN).
American Indian Stories.
Signed and
Inscribed, “To my friend, / Mrs. Arthur Jeffery Parsons / With love / Zitkala-Sa / XMas
1921,” below the frontispiece portrait. 8vo, printed wrappers, front cover detached with
first leaf, spine ends chipped; rear hinge cracked.
Washington: Hayworth, 1921; inscription: 1921
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Zitkala-Sa (1876-1938) was a Sioux author and activist who supported Native American
causes throughout her life; some claimed, falsely, that she was the granddaughter of Sitting Bull.
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