Thomas Hart Benton 1782-1858 American politician, defender of sound money and distribution of public lands to encourage settlement. Good content A.L.S. 1p. 4to., Lexington, Va., Oct. 20, 1839 In part: ...I did not know of the suspension at the time that I wrote... which was then only beginning in the Atlantic cities. I made a good escape, having sold a large property here in Sept. to be paid for in specie. Light soiling and moderate wear with marginal chipping, one chip affecting last letter of his signature.