1755 Savannah, GA. First Bill of Exchange Protest

Colonial America
1755 Savannah, Georgia "First Bill of Exchange" French & Indian War Not Listed in Anderson Protesting 200 Payment Involves Slave Trade Merchant William Vernon Newport, RI
December 28, 1755-Dated / June 23rd, 1756 French and Indian War Period, Savannah, Georgia, Manuscript Document Signed, "First of Exchange", 200 Pounds, (goods shipped were not received) includes mention of Rhode Island Slave Merchant "William Vernon", with formally Protesting Payment, with Three 6 Pence Embossed Revenue British Crown Tax Stamps, Choice Extremely Fine.
Rare Atlantic Slave Trader "William Vernon" involved, Fiscal First Bill of Exchange Manuscript official copy boldly written on 1 page, both sides, measuring about 7.25" x 10" in easily readable rich brown, on clean fine quality watermarked laid period paper. There is a finely engraved Partially-Printed, fully completed second page that appears even more dramatic in its eye appeal.
This 1755/1756 Colonial Georgia form is not listed in the Anderson reference "The Price of Liberty" being on a Savannah, Georgia claim for a merchant's payment for goods. December 28, 1755. 200 Pounds. The top margin shows a trio of 6 Pence impressed revenue stamps. The 2nd page reverse side is a payment protest form with a large impressed Wax and Paper Company Seal at left near the signature's conclusion. Any "First of Exchange" Bill is a very desirable item. While not nearly as desirable as the Continental Loan Office First Bills of Exchange, this is still a great historical pre Revolutionary War, earlier French and Indian War period, Merchant's payment item with triangular financing from London, during Georgia's early Colonial history.
The specific naming of "William Vernon" (1719-1806) merchant of Newport, Rhode Island being involved, raises the ugly prospect that this payment may be for a Slave Trade shipment with a human cargo being the "goods" shipped. Beginning in the 1750s, the Vernons became one of the first Newport merchants to sell African Slaves directly to the Southern colonies, instead of exclusively in the West Indies. The Vernon's first sale to the Southern colonies was made in Charleston in 1755.
William Vernon (January 17, 1719 " December 22, 1806), of Newport, Rhode Island, was a merchant in the Atlantic Slave Trade who played a leading role in the Continental Congress' maritime activities during the American Revolution.
William and his brother Samuel entered into business together, eventually establishing themselves as prominent merchants. Thomas did not enter into trade with his other siblings. William and Samuel, made a name for themselves successfully by first utilizing the bilateral trade between New England and the West Indies. The Vernons traded regularly between Halifax, Boston, Philadelphia and Georgia, supplying rum, molasses, flour and leather.
In 1737, the Vernons expanded to the triangle trade, otherwise known as the Atlantic slave trade, eventually becoming the most prolific slave traders of Newport. In that year they financed their first ship, the Olive Branch, captained by John Godfrey.[8] Incredible profits were made by purchasing slaves in Africa with rum from the colonies, selling those slaves in the West Indies, and in North America, including Rhode Island. The Vernons then used those profits to purchase molasses from those ports before buying more rum in the colonies, continuing the triangular cycle of trade.
Over the course of sixty years, the Vernons financed well over forty Slave voyages to the coasts of West Africa. Beginning in the 1750s, the Vernons became one of the first Newport merchants to sell African Slaves directly to the Southern colonies, instead of exclusively in the West Indies.
Their ships returning from the West Indies offloaded Slaves in South Carolina in exchange for barrels of rice destined for markets in New England. However, the Vernons also sold enslaved people to Rhode Island directly from West Africa. Their first sale to the Southern colonies was made in Charleston in 1755. The Vernons serve as a perfect example of the pivotal role Rhode Island played in the American Slave Trade"they had at one time as many as eight vessels engaged in the trade.
In 1774, Vernon was member of the committee of correspondence between Newport and Boston. As president of the Eastern Navy Board during the Revolution, he was responsible for building and outfitting the ships of the Continental Navy. William Vernon was one of the Charter Members of the Artillery Company of Newport, and is the namesake of the Vernon House.
William Vernon and his family continued his Atlantic Slave Trade activities after the revolution and following his brother Samuel's death in 1792, until at least 1799.
William Vernon is buried in the Vernon Cemetery on Warner Street in Newport, Rhode Island. His house, the "Vernon House," is a National Historic Landmark.
KEYWORDS:
Colonial America, Georgia Slavery, Slave Trade, Printing Paper Money, Revolutionary War, George Washington, Continental Congress, Black History, Slavery, Fiscal Bill of Exchange