180-- Federal Period, Printed “Wanted” Broadside for, “Fulled Half Stockings, OF Carded (not Combed) Wool, of any dyed color, or of the natural colors of the Sheep, are occasionally purchased for the Army.,, by Tench Coxe, as the Purveyor of Public Supplies, Philadelphia, Choice Extremely Fine.
Early American Military related “WANTED” Broadside measures 6.75” x 8” remaining nice and bright, boldly printed in black on clean Federal Heraldic American Eagle watermarked period laid paper. This was during French Quasi-War era which was an undeclared war fought almost entirely at sea between the United States of America and the French Republic from 1798 to 1800. Also, in general military preparation for future hostilities, including against the British in the coming War of 1812. Here, Tench Coxe, as the Purveyor of Public Supplies, prepared this form to advertise the nation’s need for socks for American soldiers. This military Broadside reads, in full:

“Fulled Half Stockings, --- OF Carded (not Combed) Wool, of any dyed color, or of the natural colors of the Sheep, are occasionally purchased for the Army. They should weigh three pounds and one half per dozen. Each half stocking should be twelve inches long in the leg, with a foot of a good size for soldiers, or for men used to labor. Proposals for the certain delivery of parcels of not less than 100 pairs in each parcel, at Philadelphia, on or before the first day of March next for cash, with the prices, will be received at this office, with a sample, per mail. - (Signed in Type) TENCH COXE, Purveyor of Public Supplies.”
Tench Coxe resigned from the Pennsylvania Militia in 1776, turned Loyalist, and joined the British Army under Genral Howe in 1777. He was arrested, paroled, and then joined the Patriot cause.

Coxe served as Commissioner to the Federal Convention at Annapolis in 1786 and as a Member of the Continental Congress in 1789. Coxe was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Treasury on September 11, 1789, and served until the office was abolished on May 8, 1792. He was appointed Revenue Commissioner June 30, 1792, and served until removed by President John Adams. Tench Coxe was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson as Purveyor of Public Supplies and served in that office from 1803 to 1812.
[Federal Period, Quasi-War with France, War of 1812] [Tench Coxe, Military Procurement, Army Supply] [Broadsides, Ephemera, Printed Americana]