Forgotten Founding Father Richard Varick Appoints Prominent New York Federalist To City Position -- Signed Twice

RICHARD VARICK (March 15, 1753 – July 30, 1831) was an American lawyer, military officer and politician who has been referred to as “The Forgotten Founding Father.” Varick was a major figure in the development of New York City and the state of New York. He became the 45th Mayor of New York City in 1789 and served 11 consecutive one-year terms until 1801. Varick codified New York State’s first statutes after the American Revolutionary War. 

Offering a 1 ¼ page appointment 8 ¼ x 11 ½, signed twice by Varick being an appointment he made as mayor of New York for prominent Federalist SAMUEL BLEECKER to the Office of a Measurer of Grain on February 29th, 1796. 

During the Revolutionary War, he served as George Washington’s aide-de-camp and private secretary. Varick’s body of work from this era would lead to the Varick Transcripts, which now live in the Library of Congress. The value of these documents has been noted throughout their lifetime as invaluable to the understanding of the formation of the United States. Varick was a founder of the Society of the Cincinnati and the American Bible Society and was a slaveholder. He was also a longtime trustee of Columbia University, where he was chairman of the board from 1810 to 1816.

In August 1780, Benedict Arnold approached Varick about joining his staff as commanding officer of west Point as his aide-de-camp and inspector-general. Within three months, Arnold’s treason was discovered and he fled to British territory. Varick, along with David Franks, were arrested. Varick had been ill in bed when informed bot of Arnold’s treason and his own arrest. Contemporary reports described Varick spending several days on the edge of madness about Arnold’s defection. Although Washington allowed Varick to be detained as a precautionary measure, the incident provided Varick with an introduction to Washington, which would enable the two to work together for the rest of their careers.

BLEECKER was a prominent figure in early New York, particularly in Albany. H was a lawyer, politician and member of the Federalist party. He served within the Twelfth United States Congress (1811-1813) and later in the New York State Assembly (1814-1815). He was involved in the legal and political landscape of New York.

ROBERT BENSON (1739 – 1823) signed the document as Clerk of New York City. He was also the secretary of the New York City Committee of One Hundred and the Provincial Congress of New York during the Revolution. The Committee of One Hundred in New York was a group of prominent citizens who organized resistance against British policies. It eventually transitioned into the New York Provincial Congress.

Fine early Americana. Wafer seal intact. Several fold breaks reinforced with archival tape. 

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