January 2019 Auction Ends Thursday, January 31st, 5pm Pacific

Illinois-Wabash Land Company Document, Appointing Simon Gratz as Chairman

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2019

Rare document of the Illinois-Wabash Land Company, comprising minutes from two meetings on 30 November 1809 and 5 March 1810. Formed in 1779, the Illinois-Wabash Land Company bought land from Native Americans, despite the 1763 Royal Proclamation prohibiting private individuals from doing so. The dispute regarding land ownership ultimately went before the Supreme Court in 1823 in Johnson v. M'Intosh, with the Court finding against the Company, rendering its purchases invalid, and causing it to shutter its doors. Four page document begins, ''At a meeting of the Ilinois [sic] & Wabash Land companies, held at the office [in Philadelphia] of the Secretary on Thursday evening the 30th Nov. 1809 at 7 o clock.'' Simon Gratz is recorded as present, as is his brother, Hyman Gratz, who would go on to found Gratz College, the oldest independent college of Jewish studies in the western hemisphere. The document further states, ''that as the affairs of the comp'y are now before Congress, it is expedient & necessary to appoint an agent to attend at Washington on behalf of the comp'y.'' Minutes from the second meeting follow, which appoints Simon Gratz as Chairman. Various shareholders are also listed. Document is marked ''Copy'' in two places, ostensibly a retained copy apart from the official recorded minutes. Four page bifolium document measures 16'' x 9.5'' unfolded. Mild toning and foxing, and separation starting along folds. Very good condition.