Description:

END OF THE WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
Unusual Ms. 4pp. legal folio, [n.p., c. 1821], being a report on the status of the Washington Benevolent Society, a Federalist organization established in the wake of the War of 1812. According to Lossing, they "were political organizations, with attractive social and benevolent features... These associations rapidly multiplied throughout the country during the war, but disappeared with the demise of the old Federalist party..." The present manuscript concerns the financial difficulties of the organization and details its history from its inception in 1813 through 1821 and reads, in part: "...The constitution of the Washington Benevolent Society was adopted unanimously at a meeting composed of upwards of two hundred persons holden for the purpose on the 5th day of Feby 1813 a gradual increase took place and the members may now be computed at about two thousand. The objects of this Society... consists 'in giving counsel to the weak against oppression... administering to the sick... and being a father to the fatherless..." Noting that the society had raised funds to purchase a hotel and building a meeting hall adjacent "with a view of profit to be derived form letting out the rooms on public and other occasions... " The subsequent pages detail tens of thousands of dollars in spending on the project with expenses and repairs related to the hotel nearing $150,000. Now that the society's influence was waning, a sale of the building was proposed: "A Sale of the property, at this time, whilst it would destroy the Society, will be calculated to benefit no body, except the Rich Speculator who might be willing to purchase our large property for much less than its real value, for the purpose of private advantage... These debts altho' at present not actually binding upon the property are nevertheless really and justly due - There is due to the W. B. Society from members upwards of $15,000 ... The Society has been deceived and indeed defrauded by large sums by individuals, whom they trusted and this has tended to increase the difficulty under which they labor. It is decided and unanimous opinion of this Committee that the Stockholders, would act very unwisely in respect to their own interest by increasing or suffering to be increased difficulties already burthnsome [sic] to the Society..." Worthy of further research. Toned from dampstains, usual folds, else good condition.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
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