Autograph Letter Signed; Directing by Schuyler, Philip - 1778

Albany, NY, 1778. 9" x 7", 1 p., docket on rear, professionally repaired on verso, small fold tears taped, no text affected. Toned, strong hand on both sides of deep ink visible. "Ph. Schuyler" signature is powerful, clear and heavily underlined. The generous General Schuyler is bequeathing his Congressional salary to the church. Docketed on the rear, "Received of Wm. Gerardus Banker Treasurer of the State of New York the sum of one hundred + fity dollars for the purposes written mentions / Albany June 3d 1778. /s/ Eilardus Westerlo / #1944 Gen.Schuyler"<br /> <br /> Philip John Schuyler, (Nov 1733 - Nov 1804), was commissioned one of the four major generals in the Continental Army, later became a political leader, and member of the Continental Congress. Born into a prominent New York family, Schuyler served in the provincial army during the last French and Indian War (1755-60), rising to the rank of major. After the war he went to England (1761-63) to help negotiate the settlement of colonial war claims. He served in the New York Assembly (1768-75) and was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia (1775-77). When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, Schuyler was again a member of the Continental Congress (1778-80), and then served in the New York state senate (1780-90). He campaigned actively in New York for ratification of the new U.S. Constitution, and was one of his state's first two U.S. senators. In 1791 he was defeated for reelection by Aaron Burr, and returned to the state senate. He recaptured his seat from Burr in 1797, but was forced by ill health to retire less than a year later. He was the father of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton and the father-in-law of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.<br /> <br /> Eilardus Westerlo (October 30, 1738, Kantens, Netherlands - December 26, 1790, Albany, New York) was a Dutch Reformed minister who worked in the United States. He spent his career, from October 1760 until December 1790, as pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in Albany. During this period, the United States fought for its independence, and the Dutch Reformed Church in North America gained its independence from the mother church in the Netherlands. Albany, May 9th 1778<br/> Sir, Be pleased to pay the Reverend Mr. Eilardus Westolo on order, whatever sum may be due to me for my services as one of the Delegates Representing the State In Congress from the Eleventh of May 1778 to the Eighteenth of June Following both days inclusive being Fourty days.<br/> I am Sir , Your Humble Servant <br/> Ph. Schuyler<br/> To the Treasurer of the State of New York<br/> <br/> Docketed: 1776 May 10th Examined & Allowed One hundred & Sixty Dollars for the Service above mentioned, Comfort Sands Aud Genl.<br/> Docketed on verso: Received of Wm. Gerardus Banker Treasurer of the State of New York the sum of one hundred & fifty dollars for the purposes within mentioned Albany June 3, 1778 Eilardus Westerlo.