Lot 1605: Autograph - Lewis Morris

Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New York (1726-1798). ALS, one page, 8 x 12.75, August 23, 1788. Letter to his son, Jacob Morris, concerning the birth of a daughter. In full: "I most sincerely congratulate you on Polly's safe delivery of as fine a girl as ever you saw, it looks like your Mother, the finest feature in her face is her nose, which is very large; Polly was delivered onthe 21st instant, a little after four o'clock in the afternoon, by old Mother Sickels, and she had a very fine time of it, and the old woman went away well pleased after tea with her fee. She is now very well, and has her nurse with her who seems a good creature, so that we expect in a short time she will be down again and making her boys winter cloaks, which she was very busy about just before she lay in. Your boys and girls are all very well. Yesterday by the packet I had a long letter from your brother James, who was then at Spaw in Germany and by a vessel from London, your good uncle Staats before he went to Spaw, sent me four pr. of most excellent shoes, and two pr. of boots, one a strong pr the other for day. I find this letter flying; a day or two ago I saw Mr. Upton at New York and he says in a short time he will go up then I will write you a long letter. Give our love to Billy tell him his cattle thrive very well. By Mr. Upton I will write you both and give you all the politick going." Reverse of second integral page is addressed in Morris's hand to "Jacob Morris Esquire, to the care of Charles Webster, Printer at Albany, Susquehannah." In good condition, with a few partial separations to intersecting folds, one fold through a single letter of signature, scattered toning, with heavier toning and foxing to second page and address panel, and scattered edge wear and creasing. Letter is housed in a blue half-morocco and cloth clamshell case. In his 1995 reference History Comes to Life, Kenneth Rendell places Morris's autograph material into the "rare" category among the Signers.