Antique 1838 2nd BANK OF UNITED STATES International Diplomacy & Credit LETTER
ORIGINAL 1838 LETTER FROM THE SECOND BANK OF THE UNITED STATES EXTENDING CREDIT TO THE FRANCOIS D’ORLEANS, PRINCE OF JOINVILLE FRANCE FOR HIS TRIP TO UNITED STATES SIGNED BY CASHIER JOSEPH COWPERTHWAIT This is just a great original piece. Fresh from a collection of papers of an old and prominent Pennsylvania family, this is one of those letters that fascinated me. It touches on many different areas of early America banking and diplomacy and that is why I found it so interesting. This is a letter from 1838 written and signed by Joseph Cowperthwaite, the Official Cashier of the Second Bank of the United States. This Second Bank of the United States was investigated by Congress and Cowperthwaite was one of the “executives” who was responsible for the collapse. It is notated at the top right that this comes from “Bank United States”. The letter is extending credit to Francois d’Orleans Prince of Joinville on his trip to Erie Pennsylvania during his first trip to the United States. The Prince has an important history in France as well as America. His father was King of France at the time and he went on to be an important part of both the Civil War as well as wars against Mexico. Possibly what he is most famous for is returning the remains of Napolean to France. The credit is also extended from the important Private Bank in Paris, Lafitte & Co. The letter reads: “Dear Sir, His Royal Highness, the Prince of Joinville is making a tour in this country and is now on his way to your neighborhood. During his visit he may have occasion for some funds and as he has a credit established at this Bank to the amount of five thousand dollars, you are authorized to pay him to that extent, any sum he may need taking receipts in duplicate stating “by order of Messrs Lafitte & Co. Paris, and for account of the “king’s Household”. I am very Respectfully yours J Cowperthwait, Cash. The letter is crisp and clean. On a folded sheet of paper with the letter side measuring about 10 x 8 inches. On the bank side it has the addressing to P Benson Esq from the Cashiers office Bank of United States – Erie Penn. It also has the original Philadelphia Mail Stamp. There is also remnants of a red wax stamp. Opening it up created a small hole in the paper but it is on the back. Overall in excellent condition. Do your own research on this great early piece of American history. FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES! CHECK THE PICTURES ON THIS GREAT PIECE. DONT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY. Shipping and handling can be calculated based on the ebay shipping calculator. If you have any questions regarding the work, please dont hesitate to ask. Pictures are an excellent indication of condition. Though the shipping says it will take 5 days of handling, usually items are shipped much faster and if you pay right away, the item most likely will go out in the next day or two. If there is any problems with the item please dont hesitate to email me. I guarantee and stand 100% behind everything I sell. No reason to open up any sort of cases. Just simply contact me and I will handle any and all problems. Out of the nearly 500 items I ship around the world every year, a very few of them occasionally get lost or broken. I insure every item and will handle all insurance claims and make sure you are reimbursed 100%. Check my feedback. After nearly 15 years of selling on ebay, my reputation speaks for itself. If you are not happy with your purchase, I will work to make sure you are. Thanks again for your interest and bidding.