James Madison Papers

To James Madison from John Meer, 18 June 1816

From John Meer

Philadelphia June 18th, 1816

Sir

I have taken the liberty by favour of Mr Mellish of enclosing you a specimen of my Bank Note Which is I believe superiour in many respects to any other hitherto used. It is engraved on a Steel plate (mostly with a hair pencil). It will print ten times more coppies than any copper plate and will come at about the same price of copper plats in general. This mode of work produces great strength and richnes of colouring, and a boldnes of expression not to be obtained by any other means, yet the most delicate tints may be produced; and it is susceptible of an infinite variety of pattern and design. This invention is most likely to secure Bank Notes and all kinds of Official and confidential papers from forgery. I shall be happy to supply any of the Governmental departments, and the Bank with plates. If you will be pleased to give me your patronage you will confer a great obligation On Sir Your’s most Respectfully.

John Meer1

RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, ML). Enclosure (1 p.) is a specimen graphic of Meer’s bank-note plate.

1John Meer, a member of the Tammany Society of Philadelphia, was an “artist keeper and regulator of weights and measures,” who resided at “4 South Seventh” Street (Francis Von A. Cabeen, “The Society of the Sons of Saint Tammany of Philadelphia,” PMHB description begins Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. description ends 27 [1903]: 47; Philadelphia Directory for 1816 (Shaw and Shoemaker description begins R. R. Shaw and R. H. Shoemaker, comps., American Bibliography: A Preliminary Checklist for 1801–1819 (22 vols.; New York, 1958–66). description ends 38607).

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