New York City, New York Mar 4, 2020 (Issuewire.com) - Haym Salomon, the forgotten Jewish patriot and the financial hero who nearly single-handedly financed the American Revolution, is being honored with a new inspirational print “Founding Patriots.” The artwork, based on the Heald Square monument in Chicago, portrays Salomon and the colonies’ Finance Director Robert Morris flanking General George Washington. It also recognizes an early milestone in the Judeo-Christian heritage of the United States.
In 1772 Salomon fled unrest in his native Poland and took his chances by immigrating to New York City. The Jewish businessman found himself sympathetic to the patriots’ cause and became a member of the secret group The Sons of Liberty.
As the financial champion of the American Revolution, Haym Salomon provided ready funds to equip and feed George Washington's Continental Army. Although imprisoned and sentenced to death by British authorities for his patriotic efforts,
Salomon escaped twice and his work and contributions advanced General Washington’s war effort with more than $1.3 million in the financing, the value of which is almost incalculable in today’s dollars.
One of Salomon’s most meaningful contributions came as the Continental Army was preparing to go to battle against the British forces of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. His war chest completely exhausted, Washington is said to have issued an urgent, yet simple, message for financial help: “Send for Haym Salomon.” Salomon raised $20,000 for the Battle of Yorktown alone, fueling the decisive battle of the Revolution, finally freeing the colonies from oppressive British rule. His fundraising is also credited with saving the new nation from financial collapse.
Despite his crucial work, the government owed Salomon a mountain of money in 1785, when he died penniless from tuberculosis at age 45, contracted during his earlier imprisonment by the British. Salomon was born 280 years ago on April 7th.
Historian Albert Bushneff, Professor Emeritus of History, Harvard University, wrote of Salomon: All Americans may acclaim Haym Salomon as a patriot, a benefactor to his country, an inciter of patriotism to members of his race, to his countrymen, and to later generations. It looks as though his credit was better than that of the whole 13 United States of America.”
In 1975, the United States Postal Service published a stamp on which was printed “Financial Hero – Businessman and broker Haym Salomon was responsible for raising most of the money needed to finance the American Revolution and later save the new nation from collapse.”
David Allen Lewis, the founder of Bridges for Peace and Christians United, who in 1982 authored the book HAYM SALOMON-THE FORGOTTEN PATRIOT, wrote, “Salomon was the principal financier of the American Revolution. Without the money he gave and raised, we would no doubt have lost the war with England… Salomon gave his personal fortune and also raised huge sums of money… He could have made himself rich and left a fine estate for his family. He gave everything to help establish the United States.”
The inspirational “Founding Patriots” print can be proudly hung anywhere-- in any home, school, library, historical society, houses of worship, or veterans’ organization. This celebration of our immigrant heritage can be a great fundraising tool for Jewish learning organizations or galas, especially with donor support.
This historic 18”x24” print is available at www.FoundingPatriots.net.
Media Contact
Bret Publishing bmales@publicproducers.com 147 Sheridan Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 http://www.foundingpatriots.net
