GAJS.COM Web Catalogue Eli Whitney

ELI WHITNEY RECEIVES PAYMENT
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ARMS
FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

WHITNEY, ELI. (1765-1825). American inventor, best known for his invention of the cotton gin. Interesting Augtograph Letter Signed “Eli Whitney.” One page, quarto, New Haven, CT, May 4, 1818. Fine condition. To William Lee Esq., second auditor of the Treasury Department. Whitney writes:

“Sir: I have this day received your favor of the 28th ult and also from the treasurer of the U. States a remittance of six thousand dollars or on account of my contract for manufacturing arms and am respectfully your very obedient servant Eli Whitney.”

Whitney completed the first cotton gin in 1793, receiving a patent for it in 1794. However, a decision to protect that patent wasn’t rendered until 1807, giving others much opportunity to copy Whitney’s design. In 1812 Whitney’s petition to renew his patent was denied by Congress, allowing him little financial recourse from his invention. Having virtually no money, Whitney turned his attention in 1798 to manufacturing firearms (M.E.E.) and approached Secretary of Treasury Oliver Wolcott and received a commission from the United States government to manufacture 10,000 muskets for the military, for which he was paid $134,000. In November of that year he built a factory in New Haven, CT, where he developed the principle of interchangeable parts and applied it to the manufacturing of the muskets. (A Classification of American Wealth: History and genealogy of the wealthy families of America Website) After this first contract was completed in 1809, Whitney received further orders for arms from the states of New York and Connecticut, and a second order from the U.S. government for 15,000 muskets for use in the war with Britain. As this letter indicates Whitney has received payment for the production of these associated arms. Whitney’s arms business prospered, and he and his family became wealthy and prominent members of New Haven society. (A Classification of American Wealth: History and genealogy of the wealthy families of America Website).


ELI WHITNEY RECEIVES PAYMENT FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ARMS FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WHITNEY, ELI. (1765-1825). American inventor, best known for his invention of the cotton gin. Interesting Augtograph Letter Signed “Eli Whitney.” One page, quarto, New Haven, CT, May 4, 1818. Fine condition. To William Lee Esq., second auditor of the Treasury Department. Whitney writes: “Sir: I have this day received your favor of the 28th ult and also from the treasurer of the U. States a remittance of six thousand dollars or on account of my contract for manufacturing arms and am respectfully your very obedient servant Eli Whitney.” Whitney completed the first cotton gin in 1793, receiving a patent for it in 1794. However, a decision to protect that patent wasn’t rendered until 1807, giving others much opportunity to copy Whitney’s design. In 1812 Whitney’s petition to renew his patent was denied by Congress, allowing him little financial recourse from his invention. Having virtually no money, Whitney turned his attention in 1798 to manufacturing firearms (M.E.E.) and approached Secretary of Treasury Oliver Wolcott and received a commission from the United States government to manufacture 10,000 muskets for the military, for which he was paid $134,000. In November of that year he built a factory in New Haven, CT, where he developed the principle of interchangeable parts and applied it to the manufacturing of the muskets. (A Classification of American Wealth: History and genealogy of the wealthy families of America Website) After this first contract was completed in 1809, Whitney received further orders for arms from the states of New York and Connecticut, and a second order from the U.S. government for 15,000 muskets for use in the war with Britain. As this letter indicates Whitney has received payment for the production of these associated arms. Whitney’s arms business prospered, and he and his family became wealthy and prominent members of New Haven society. (A Classification of American Wealth: History and genealogy of the wealthy families of America Website). For more details or to buy this item, please contact us. $4,850
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