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WILLIAM BINGHAM (March 8, 1752-February 7, 1804) was a delegate for Pennsylvania to theContinental Congress and served in the United States Senate from1795-1801. The Committee of SecretCorrespondence sent Bingham to Martinico to reside ostensibly as a merchant butto actually establish communications with Silas Deane, the committee’s agent inFrance. (Historians believe that Deanewas a double agent.)
When Bingham left America, he did so aboard the frigate Reprisal on July 3, 1776. During hisvoyage, he captured British ships and returned in 1777 to America with fullloads of munitions, guns and other vital goods necessary for fighting the war.By the end of the Revolution, he was regarded as one of the richest men inPennsylvania, having made his fortune through joint ownership of privateers andtrading. With his son-in-law, he helpedbroker the Louisiana Purchase.
Bingham marshaled the Second Troop of Philadelphia Light Horse in the1780s, an outfit of 50 dragoons. He alsoescorted President-elect George Washington through Pennsylvania with his troopon his April 1789 journey from Valley Forge to New York to assume thePresidency. He oversaw development of theland during a fledgling period of America as a member of the Society of Roadsand Inland Navigation. He built roads and a bridge from Philadelphia toLancaster, Pennsylvania called the Lancaster Pike.
Offering a SCARCE Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Roadstock certificate, number 350, signed "Wm Bingham" as President, 7 ½ x9 ¼, on vellum, March 16, 1795, countersigned by William Savitt as treasurer,outstanding lithography, custom matted with plaque overall size 12 ½ x13 ½. Beautiful engraved plaque states that theturnpike was the first in the nation and provides a description.
Folds, toning, but in excellent condition, very readable andready for framing.
Everything we sell is guaranteedauthentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 14-day return policy.If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact usimmediately. Our goal is to please every customer. We are pleased to be members of TheManuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club and The EphemeraSociety. [RW116]
