American Philosophical Society
Historical Sketch of the Continental Bills of Credit, from 1775 to 1781, with Specimens thereof
Breck, Samuel, 1771-1862
Mss.332.5.B74h
/repositories/2/resources/26
0.25 Linear feet
1 vol., 153 spms.
1840, 1862
Born in Boston and educated there and in France, Samuel Breck (1771-1862) was a major figure in the mercantile, philanthropic, and political life of Philadelphia during the first hald of the nineteenth century. With an interest in historical and literary affairs, Breck was an active member of the Library Company of Philadelphia, the Phialdelphia Athenaeum, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and the American Philosophical Society (elected 1838).
The Breck Collection is comprised of two manuscripts written by Samuel Breck. The first, "Historical Sketch of the Continental Bills of Credit, from 1775 to 1781, with Specimens Thereof" (1840), includes an essay and 153 specimens of Continental Currency. The second essay, "Recollections of My Acquaintance and Association with Deceased Members of the American Philosophical Society" (1862) includes the 92 year-old Breck's reminiscences of his personal relationships with the nationally and internationally prominent membership of the APS.
LH-MV-E-7
English .
Early American History Note
The Samuel Breck Collection consists of two bound volumes. The first is a long manuscript essay on Continental Bills of credit from 1775 – 1781, which reflects Breck's interest in historical matters. The second volume is a handwritten account of Breck at 92 years old reminiscing on prominent APS members he had met.
Of particular significance, the volume on Continental bills includes 153 examples of various Continental bills beginning with the first emission in May 1775 until 1779. The collection also includes examples of colonial currency from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. There is a separate section that includes examples of counterfeit Continental bills. Breck also discusses the history of paper money in the colonies and debate about Continental currency in the early republic. The essay may be of interest to those interested in governance and finance in the early republic.
The second volume in which Breck recounts his memory of APS members is described separately under 920.B74.
Samuel Breck (1771-1862) was a Philadelphia merchant and APS (1838) member.
Existence and Location of Copies note
Breck's "Recollections" is available on microfilm (Film 188).
Processing Information note
Recatalogued 2003.
Related Archival Materials note
The APS houses approximately twenty letters to or from Breck in the APS Archives and Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collections and in the papers of Samuel George Morton and the Madeira-Vaughan Family.
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania houses several collections that contain materials by Breck, including a large collection of his notebooks (Collection 1887).
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Gift of Samuel Breck, 1856.
Preferred Citation note
Cite as: Samuel Breck Collection, American Philosophical Society.
General note
The "Historical Sketch" was removed from its original heavily embossed and decorated leather binding. The original boards are stored with the volume.
Scope and Contents note
The Breck Collection is comprised of two separately-cataloged manuscripts written by the merchant, philanthropist, and politician, Samuel Breck. The first, "Historical Sketch of the Continental Bills of Credit, from 1775 to 1781, with Specimens thereof" (332.5 B74h), was written in 1840, and reflects Breck's strong interest in matters of finance, banking, and paper currency. It is distinguished by the inclusion of 153 Continental bills issued during the Revolution, including many printed by Hall and Sellers, along with several counterfeit examples.
Although Breck states that his essay on Continental bills was read at the APS on July 3, 1840, the manuscript differs significantly from the paper abstracted in the APS
Proceedings 1 (1840): 248-251. Breck read a second paper on May 26, 1843, which was abstracted in theProceedings 3 (1843): 57-64. A revised version of the two papers, incorporating material in the manuscript, was printed in APS Historical and Literary Committee Transactions 3 (1843): 1-40.
The second manuscript, "Recollections of My Acquaintance and Association with Deceased Members of the American Philosophical Society" (920 B74), contains brief sketches some of the more prominent figures in the Society as remembered by the superannurated Breck in 1862, along with a photograph of Breck from that period. In part, the value of these sketches lies in the intimacy of Breck's acquaintance with their subjects, and his often anecdotal recollection. It forms a valuable companion to his
Recollections of Samuel Breck, with Passages from His Notebooks (1771-1862).
Biographical/Historical note
Born into wealthy family in Boston on the eve of the American Revolution and educated there and at the Royal Military School of Loreze, France, Samuel Breck (1771-1862) made his career as a merchant and politician. Unhappy with the high taxes in post-war Massachusetts, Breck's father relocated his family to Philadelphia in 1792, and Samuel soon planted roots there. On Christmas eve, 1795, he married Jean Ross, daughter of one of Philadelphia's most important merchants.
After serving as a corporal during the Whisky Rebellion in 1794, Breck took an increasingly active role in the civic and cultural life of the city. A major benefactor of the Library Company of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Athenaeum and a founder of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind, he took a particular interest in historical matters, becoming an officer of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania., and a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1838. He was also a prominent politician, serving in the State house of representatives in 1817-1820, the State senate in 1832-1834, and as Federalist in the U.S. Congress in 1823-1825. His brother Daniel, a jurist and banker, also served as a congressman.
Breck died in Philadelphia on August 31, 1862, and was interred in St. Peter's Churchyard.
Bibliography
Breck, Samuel, Recollections of Samuel Breck, with Passages from His Notebooks (1771-1862) (London, 1877). Call no.: B B75s.
Wainwright, Nicholas B., "The Diary of Samuel Breck, 1814-1835, 1838." Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 102 (1978): 469-508; 103 (1979): 85-113, 222-51, 356-82.
Paper money -- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
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United States -- Biography
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Miscellaneous
Early National Politics
Business Records and Accounts
Official Government Documents and Records
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Hall & Sellers
St. John de Crèvecoeur, J. Hector, 1735-1813
Barlow, Joel, 1754-1812
Bingham, William, 1752-1804
Brissot de Warville, J.-P. (Jacques-Pierre), 1754-1793
Chastellux, François Jean, Marquis de, 1734-1788
Letombe, Philippe Joseph
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de, 1757-1834
Cobbett, William, 1763-1835
Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
Washington, George (1732-1799)
Holyoke, Edward Augustus, 1728
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
Louis Philippe, King of the Fr
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806
Raguet, Condy, 1784-1842
Talleyrand-Perigord, Charles M
Volney, C.-F. (Contantin-Franç
La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, François-Alexandre-Frédéric, Duc de, 1747-1827
Penn, John, 1729-1795
"Historical Sketch of the Continental Bills of Credit, from 1775 to 1781, with Specimens Thereof"
/repositories/2/archival_objects/14720
Breck, Samuel, 1771-1862
1840
332.5 B74h
1 vol., 153 spms