AMES, OAKES (1804-1873). Capitalist. Ames' well documented involvement with the Credit Mobilier caused one of the greatest political scandals in the nation's history, reaching as high as the Vice-President of the United States. DS. 1 page. 8” x 3 ¼”. Washington. 1869. Bank check signed by American Financier Oakes Ames. Two tears at center that do not effect the signature. Ames signature is in dark ink and very fine.

JAMES STEWART (1908 - 1997). Actor. DS. 1 page. March 24, 1970. Partly-printed promissory note drawn on the First Security Bank of Utah in which Stewart promises to pay $5,500 three months from date..." Boldly signed in blue ink. Bank stamp cancellation. Two file holes at top. Fine.

BENITO JUAREZ (1806-1872) Five time president of Mexico. Juarez is often regarded as Mexico’s greatest and most beloved leader. He was the first Mexican leader who did not have a military background and was also the first full-blooded indigenous national to serve as president of Mexico. Manuscript Gobierno del Estado de Oaxaca Document, in Spanish Signed, “Benito Juarez.” Three pages, 8 1/2” x 12 1/2”. Oaxaca. March 7, 1848. The document reads, in part: “ ‘Several days ago this General Command had news that there would be attacks designed to subvert order in this Capital. Due to some irregularities and lacking compelling evidence that would not permit those loopholes that wrongdoers always take advantage of, we had abstained from taking any particular action. But today, possessing what can be observed in the attached Documents … it becomes imperative that you exercise the authority as District Judge regarding these disturbances and carry out those measures that will lead to the punishment the criminals deserve for their perversity’ Because of a perennially lamentable misfortune, those men who have attempted revolution in Mexico, when they have been caught, never have been punished according to the law; however, this new mission of the authorities, which they must carry out with scrupulous respect for the law, does not authorize continued rebellion; rather, on the contrary, it demands that limits be imposed on prostitution and immorality. The situation of the Country is quite sorrowful these days, and those responsible for it are some men who have become the scourge of their fellow citizens … From the pain of the good Mexicans these wrongdoers must not be reorganized in Oaxaca, and the authority of the state must vigorously prosecute those who try to drench the State in blood … It is because of fear or a mistaken respect that our legal resources were not used against this affront to mortality. This command possesses all the necessary resources to punish and repress anyone who disturbs the public order, but seeking not to usurp the powers of your own authority, we are content to make an effective recommendation in our request to you that you proceed to have the Captain who signs what is stated in document 2 participate in this action, since he is the one who has closely followed the thread of this revolution and the one has done a service to the state by denouncing it … I send this to you for your consent and in order for you to bring it to the attention of the President of the Republic. Tell him that my government has already set forth the measures in its report in fulfillment of its lawful duty to preserve public tranquility and order … I am honored to express you my esteem and most sincere regards. God and Liberty … ” Juarez’s time as Governor of Oaxaca was short-lived. Taking that post in 1847, he was exiled the following year for his objections to the corruption of the Santa Anna military dictatorship. Our letter, penned the very year of his exile, contains fine content on Juarez’s brave, but ultimately unsuccessful, fight against this corrupt regime. Splits at folds. Paper loss at left edge of folds. Some light toning. Overall Very Fine.

BENJAMIN PEIRCE (1809-1880) American mathematician who taught at Harvard University. Peirce made contributions to celestial mechanics, number theory and algebra. Autograph Letter Signed, "Benjmain Peirce," bearing an engraving of an observatory. One page, 5" x 8". No place. January 5, 1865. Peirce writes to "Hon. B.B. French": On behalf of the Committee appointed by the Natinoal Academy of Sciences to confer with you upon the subject of rooms for permanent occupation by the Academy, I have the pleasure to send to you a copy of the Report and of the Annual for the year 1864 ... " Mounting trace on verso. Overall Fine.

Bernard M. Baruch (1870-1965); Financier; Statesman. TLS. 1 page. 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”. New York, November 13, 1951. On his personal imprinted letterhead to a Mr. Laserte in answer to the local school guidance counselors letter; 1. Let them study history from the beginning and then check what has happened to other peoples who have become softened and have ceased to exist. This very remarkable experiment of ours now nearly one hundred and eighty years old is the best ever conceived by the mind of man. If the students can only learn before it is too late (and it is getting late now) to understand and appreciate what they have, we may be able to continue it as an example for all. 2. I am sending you herewith copy of letter I sent Dr. Middlebush, with accompanying documents. I think grammar, high schools and colleges ought to teach our youth how better to think instead of filling them with a lot of information. If they learn how to think they can take any information and find out what is “true or false” and then deduce what is proper in the circumstances” A nice offering of insight on education from the elder statesman. Excellent condition.

ISAAC DOOLITTLE (1722-1800) American clockmaker, printer, sealer of weights and measures, and collector of New Haven. Partially Printed Document Signed, “Isaac Doolittle.” One page, 8” x 4 ¼”. Hartford. March 18, 1779. The document reads, in part: “RECEIVED of JOHN LAWRENCE, Commissioner of the Loan Office for the State of Connecticut, Three Setts of Bills of Exchange for thirty Dollars Each it being the Interest arisen on Four Continental Certificates, in favour of Mr. Nehemiah Smith Also on one certificate in favr Mr. Justus Smith Dated 24th February 1778 to the 24th of February 1779 …. Isaac Doolittle.” Based out of New Haven, Connecticut, Doolittle is credited with producing the first American-made printing press for William Goddard, the widely known Philadelphia printed, in 1769. Doolittle is also credited with making what many scholars view as the first brass-wheel clock produced in America, and is known for casting high quality church bells. During the Revolutionary War, Doolittle and three fellow New Haven residents obtained a permit from the Council of Safety to start a powder mill in Westville for the purpose of supplying the colonial army. The endeavor appears to have proved immediately successful, according to the Records of the Town Meeting of New Haven, the company received orders from Governor Trumbull to deliver 1,000 pounds of powder as town stock for New Haven. Very Fine.

Josiah Quincy, Jr. (1802 – 1882). Mayor of Boston, He was the author of Figures in the Past (1882). As a member of the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1837, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Massachusetts Board of Education. He built the Josiah Quincy Mansion in 1848. ALS. 1 page. 8” x 10”.City of Boston, Mayor’s Office. June 21, 1847. Quincy writes to the mayor of Providence Thos. M. Burgess; “I have nof official intelligence of the intentions of the President from statements in the papers I presume if he comes at all he will reach here on Tuesday the 29th by the way of the Western Rail Road. I shall have the honor of communicating to you any information I may receive, that may be important to you in deciding on your arrangements, being very respectfully…” Excellent condition.

BENJAMIN DOLBEARE (1711 – 1787). Pewterer and ironmonger; operated a Dock Square shop and served as the overseer of the poor for 20 years in Boston. DS. 1 page. 3 5/8” x 6 ¼”. To a Mr. Paul Farmer; “Receive inot the almshouse on the Province Acct. Sarah Hartshorn & her Child, disordered in her mind & in destitute circumstances and not an Inhabitant of any town in this Province”. Signed by Selectmen John Scollay and Timothy Newall. Dolbear signs as “Overseer of the poor”. A scarce early document related to this important early social safety net in Boston. Mounted to another sheet. Folds. Fine.

JAKE LAMOTTA. DS. 1pp. 8" x 3". Miami Beach. April 24, 1957. A check signed by boxer Jake LaMotta drawn on the Jake LaMotta Skybrite account. The boxer paid "Hartley & Parker, Inc. $64.73". The check is punch cancelled, though not affecting LaMotta's signature in any way. It is in fine condition overall.