RICHARD STOCKTON(1730 - 1781) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey and member of the Continental Congress. A.D.S. signed twice, 4pp, folio, April 1780, to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Stockton, as attorney for Cornelius Covenhoven, writes a lengthy legal opinion concerning the controversy over the salvage of a shipwreck prize. The document describes the dispute in detail: Covenhoven claims the British Brigantine Polaire and its cargo which was shipwrecked on his land along the New Jersey coast. Samuel Dennis and others "...with a detachment of the Army of the Militia...were patrolling the sea coast...against the hostile invasion and incursions of the enemies...", and claimed the shipwreck for themselves. Their claim was upheld by the Admiralty Court of New Jersey, and this document is Stockton's appeal for his client to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Stockton cites precedents by parliaments under English Kings Richard the Second, Edward and Henry the Fourth, saying that these precedents have been followed by the State of New Jersey under its constitution. In all more than 2,300 words in Stockton's hand, and signed by Stockton both at the beginning and end of the document. Lightly toned, else very good.