John Rutledge autograph document signed ("J: Rutledge") as President of South Carolina. One page, 7.25" x 4.5", Charlestown, South Carolina; July 15, 1777. Addressed to "The Delegates for South Carolina". A manuscript financial document penned by John Rutledge while President of South Carolina. A manuscript financial document ordering payment to Benjamin Farar. Rutledge writes, in part: "At Sight of this my first of Exch.g pay to Benja. Farar Esq. or order Six Thousand one hundred & fifty four Continental Dollars for Value recd. of him by His State..." Signed, "J: Rutledge." John Rutledge (1739-1800), a signer of the Constitution, represented South Carolina in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1775 and 1782 to 1783. While serving in the Continental Congress, he was elected president of South Carolina, an office he held from 1776 to 1778. Following a revision to the state constitution, the title of president was changed to governor and Rutledge was again elected to the office in what was essentially his second term, serving from 1779 to 1782. After the war, President Washington appointed him an Associate Justice of the first Supreme Court (1789-1791) and he was nominated in 1795 to be Chief Justice. He presided at the August term, but on December 15, 1795, the Senate declined to confirm him, primarily due to his outspoken opposition to John Jay's Treaty of 1794. Rutledge resigned from the court and retired to his home in Charleston shortly thereafter. As Rutledge only served as president of South Carolina for two years, documents penned by him from that brief period appear infrequently. An engraved portrait of Rutledge accompanies it. Condition: Inlaid to a slightly larger mounting paper. 1" closed tear along bottom edge. A few scattered pinholes that do not affect legibility. Scattered dampstaining. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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