Lot 3376: FULTON, ROBERT. 1765-1815.

Autograph Letter Signed (“Robt Fulton”), 1 p, 4to, New York, November 18, 1813, to Doctor Wilson, regarding settling his account with the estate of Robert Livingston, autograph address on verso and additionally docketed by Wilson, leaf creased, toning at creases and small loss at center right and left margins from seal.

Robert Livingston, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Chancellor of New York, and U.S. Minister to France during the negotiation of the Louisiana Purchase, also fancied himself an inventor. Fascinated with steam navigation, Livingston collaborated with Robert Fulton to build an iron steamship to sail the Hudson. When Livingston died in 1813, the partnership was in debt, and Fulton was required to negotiate with Livingston’s heirs regarding the supply of iron to build ships. Fulton writes to the estate administrator: “The estate of the Chancellor is to be charged with the Iron credit having been given by me to him in settling our accounts you will please to show the annexed to Mr. Edward P.”
See illustration.