Tench Coxe

(1755 - 1824)

Born in Philadelphia to a prosperous merchant family, Tench Coxe—called “Mr. Facing Bothways” by his enemies—joined his father’s firm in 1776 and, declaring himself to be “without party,” conducted trade with both American and British clientele. The dealings led to his name appearing on a list of those suspected of treason. “I am, if permitted,” he said after the charges had been dropped, “likely to become a good American.” In 1787 he wrote a series of articles in Philadelphia’s Independent Gazetteer urging ratification of the Constitution and the following year was elected to the Continental Congress.