Thomson, Charles to [President of Congress] re: exposing a plot to forge army pension securities
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04849 Author/Creator: Thomson, Charles Place Written: [New York] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1785/03/28 Pagination: 2 p.+dock.+engr. 32.4 x 20.6 cm Order a Copy
The President of Congress is the presumed recipient for Thomson's attempt to expose counterfeiting.
Notes: A copy of this letter was sent to the Executives of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This appears to be Thomson's retained copy - the docket looks like his hand.
[Docket]:
Letter from the Secretary of Congress [illegible] Information of a wicked attempt to defraud the public by counterfeiting the certificates of final settlement with officers and soldiers of the United States
March 28 1785
Secretary's Office, March 28. 1785
Sir,
In the latter end of January last, Congress received information of a wicked attempt to defraud the public by counterfeiting the certificates of final settlement given to the officers & soldiers of the United States by the Commissioner for settling the accounts of the army. The fraud was the more alarming as the villains concerned seemed to be possessed of a secret which tended to destroy the credit of all writings and to produce the most mischievous consequences by rendering all written contracts insecure. For it appeared that though the words were altered and the sums changed, the paper remained undefaced. In consequence of this information Congress issued the proclamation of which I enclose a copy.
Last week one Davison came to this city for the purpose as he said, of disclosing the whole scene of villainy. A committee was appointed to take his examination. This morning they brought in a report accompanied with his deposition, which for the greater dispatch and secrecy Congress were pleased to refer to me to take order. I therefore embraced the earliest opportunity of transmitting to your Excellency a copy of the said report [2] deposition which will sufficiently evince the necessity & importance of adopting the most speedy and effectual measures to put a stop to villainy so injurious to private property and destructive of public credit, by securing and bringing to justice the individuals so dangerous a combination.
Relying on your Excellency to give the necessary orders, I shall not trouble you with any thing more at present than the assurance that I am
with great respect
Your Excellency's
Most obedient and
Most humble servt
Cha Thomson
[Docket]:
Letter from the Secretary of Congress [illegible] Information of a wicked attempt to defraud the public by counterfeiting the certificates of final settlement with officers and soldiers of the United States
March 28 1785
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