When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
An exceptional opportunity to own a piece of early American legal history from the formative years of the United States.
Offered here is an authentic handwritten manuscript letter dated January 16, 1786, originating from Albany, New York—a fascinating piece from the early years of the United States, just after the Revolutionary War and prior to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution (1787).
This document appears to be a formal petition addressed to the Legislature of the State of New York, submitted by Joseph Welch. The text references imprisonment for debt and requests relief, providing a compelling glimpse into the legal and social conditions of post-colonial America.
The letter is written in period ink on laid paper and retains its original fold lines, consistent with 18th-century correspondence. The handwriting is clear and legible, with multiple endorsements and notations visible on the verso, adding to its historical interest.
Details:
* Date: January 16, 1786
* Location: Albany, New York
* Format: Handwritten petition/manuscript letter
* Paper: Laid paper with visible age and fold lines
* Condition: Age-appropriate toning, creasing from original folds, minor staining—overall well-preserved for its age
* Framed and ready for display
This is a genuine early American historical document, ideal for collectors of manuscripts, Revolutionary-era material, or New York history.
