If the signers of the Declaration of Independence had acted the way modern baseball players do. . . .
Dear Tom:
Your Declaration of Independence from Britain looks fine to me. I would, of course, be happy to sign it, but you realize of course that I had a good season last year. Therefore, I must charge the Continental Congress $50 for my signature.
Sincerely,
John Adams
(typed, but not signed)
Dear Mr. Jefferson:
Thank you for your kind invitation to sign the Declaration. I hope you realize that I charge a minimum of $35 per autograph. If the Continental Congress will send me a cashiers check by messenger, I shall be in
Philadelphia by July 4th.
Yours,
Button Gwinnett (letter dictated, but not signed)
Dear Thomas:
Your Declaration of Independence from the mad king is some piece of writing. I would be happy to sign it, but, alas, I must charge you $25 (cash only) per autograph. You know how it is these days. I have a lot of mouths to feed.
Samuel Chase (not signed in his absence)
Yo Tom!
Okay. I`ll sign it. But I must have $30 per autograph. I don`t sign uniforms either. Have the Continental Congress leave the cash in a plain brown satchel at my hotel.
Yours on the way to Phillie,
John Witherspoon (printed, not signed).
