Leasing News

He is still encouraging folks to call him direct at (954) 436-7228 if you or your customers were victims of EXCEL Investment Group or Nations Capital Credit.

You can also email him at : sfarash@uspis.gov with your information.

Mr. Farash said that he had read the comments I posted on Leasing News and realizes that second hand information, even from my lessee, can be quite damaging. He asked me to publish this retraction which I agreed to wholeheartedly.

He never made any negative comments about the lease industry and does not know why the lessee would say that.

What Mr. Farash said he wants most is COOPERATION from victims.

I will corner my lessee today and advise him of the events that have transpired this morning as a result of the statements he made. I have also learned a valuable lesson and I

wish to take this opportunity to apologize to Mr. Farash for providing

inaccurate third party information to Leasing News.

Please publish this Retraction in your newsletter.

Rosanne Wilson, CLP President, 1st Independent Leasing, Inc.

Rosanne Wilson, President

1st Independent Leasing, Inc.

"Equipment Leasing Specialists"

(800) 926-0851

[Top]

Classified Ads---Jobs Wanted

Sales: Atlanta, GA. Equipment Finance/Tax Leasing professional, with 20+

years experience originating, structuring, and closing. Direct

& vendor development sales. Mid-market and Fortune 1000 - customers

throughout Southeast. Email: wmplumer@yahoo.com

Sales: Atlanta, GA. Consistent top performer, results oriented with outstanding

sourcing, structuring and negotiation skills. Direct& vendor development

sales. Mid-market and above - Customers throughout Southeast. Email:w.t.dent@comcast.net

Sales:Austin,Texas 24yrs exp.in equip leasing sales,

vendor/direct, leasing high-tech to rolling stock. HP12C/17B.

Small-Mid Ticket. Seeking Texas territory which can be covered from Austin home-base. Email:GeorgeMinchew@sbcglobal.net

Sales: Bakersfield, CA.

I have an extensive sales and management background in equipment

leasing. My work history exhibits my major strength in small ticket

equipment leasing. Email: pangress@msn.com

Sales: Central, NC.

7 yrs.equip leasing &finance; specialist in heavy construction

equip for 2-top-5-specialty finance/lease companies, NC &VA

territories. $10-15MM annual funding. Downsized in 2002, now independent

broker with varied customer base. Email: sunriseleasing@aol.com

Sales: Chicago, IL. 12+ yrs multinational/national sales & business development. Seeking role with captive lessor or global leasing company. Will relo right opportunity. Experience structuring complex transactions. Email: leasingismylife@yahoo.com

Sales: Denver CO.

Experienced Equipment Leasing Broker looking for a in house leasing company. Can bring a book of business with me or develop new territory where needed. Email: Steven@eagle2.net

Sales: Denver, CO.

17 yr sales exp.. in leasing sales (territory, National Accts, Sales mgt.) looking to bring experience to s sales/sales mgt role. Successful, accountable, ethical, aggressive, results. Email:lease442000@yahoo.com

Sales: Denver, OR.

Broker representative: Seek employment or partnership w/estab. finance group. Prior engineer making career change. Have pursued extensive self-education/ formal training.

Email: dbrown@thirdwavefinance.com

Sales: Detroit, MI. 16-year lease veteran looking for opportunity in the Detroit area. Ability to bring on new accounts and manage existing base. Up to 60% travel acceptable. Email:ebonbri@aol.com

Sales: Greensboro, N.C. Seeking direct & broker sales w/major finance companies in NC or southeast market. Small to mid-ticket range. Stable &family oriented. Will have series 6,63,65 license shortly. Email:kc1492@aol.com

Sales: Hartford, CT. 10+ yrs leasing sales exp.; multi-industry, small-large ticket, Direct, Vendor, and Captive exp. Seeking sales position with captive or independent company with equity investment capability. Email: bcurt95@aol.com

Sales: Jacksonville, FL.

Seasoned equipment leasing professional, with over 10 years of experience, looking for position in business development in Northern Florida territory. Email: rene.bradshaw@superig.com.br

Sales: Los Angeles, CA.

12+years Leasing sales, underwriting/contract exper. including hi-tech, govt, direct & vendor leasing. Seeking role w/institution or captive. Exper. w/ complex transactions, including securities. Possible relocation.

Email: rahlease04@hotmail.com

Sales: Louisville, KY

I have been in leasing/financing of construction, machine tool, and mfg equipment for 20+ years. Traveled KY, IN, OH and TN.

Email:kyle90@msn.com

Sales: Minneapolis, MN. 10+ yrs Equipment Leasing in Upper Midwest. Investment Grade Database. Previous vendor/small/middle market exp. Super Trump, 17B & account database exp. Email: golfadm@yahoo.com

Sales: Mission Viejo, CA

Account Sales Executive with 10 years of leasing experience looking for company to bring existing customer base.

Email:makelly21@hotmail.com

Sales: Orange County, CA.

Skilled deal-closer at above-average rates. Entrepreneurial. Accomplished lease-structurer specializing in transportation. Exp. in direct/captive & syndicator environments servicing vendors, brokers, & end-users.

Email:originator@sbcglobal.net

Sales: Philadelphia , PA Seeking an open opportunity to advance in the automotive, commercial leasing & finance industry......... Email: alexe362002@yahoo.com

Sales: Phoenix, AZ. 20-year veteran with multiple industry experience, solid closing skills, middle-market database, sourcing direct/vendors. Seeking direct/vendor/captive lessor with direct funding & equity infusion capabilities. Email: lease321@cox.net

Sales: Prairie Village, KS Have substantial deal flow and database of broker referral sources. Generated and closed over $22M LY. Seeking exclusive relationship w/direct founder. Email:fiergl@aol.com

Sales: Princeton, NJ: Regional Sales Manager: Last 15 years with captive. Knowledgeable in all aspects of leasing. Application to funding. Worked with 25 salespeople - east coast.

Email: denisregan@msn.com

Sales: St. Louis, MO

Proven equipment finance sales professional looking for a new challenge which rewards success. Equipment type and location open provided you want business. Email:amlifter@aol.com

Sales: San Bernardino, CA.

Account executive w/4 years exp. in small ticket &lower end middle market lease transactions, Outstanding ACT database compiled of over 500 vendors. Seeking a career driven position w/a reputable lessor

Email: moneytoloan@hotmail.com

Sales: San Francisco Bay Area, CA

10+ yrs in middle market leasing. Seek direct lessor only. Transaction size from $500M to $10.0MM. Client base: printing, food, retail, manufacturing. Email:edm173@sbcglobal.net

Sales: Stuart, Fl. 17 years exp. leasing in small ticket and large ticket, portfolio management exp. along with sales management and administrative background, strong sales and marketing skills.

Email: sales@rvcglobal.com

Sales: Tampa, FL. 27 years experience. Very adept in bank lease programs and direct sales in MM/LT. Looking to re-enter the industry. Will relocate to Texas. Hungry. Email: cwilliams@triit.com

Full Listing of all Jobs Wanted at:

http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm

[Top]

Cartoon—New GE Capital Sales Campaign

http://two.leasingnews.org/cartoons/lease_it.jpg

[Top]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday---Odds and Ends

What Happened to US Capital?

I was just wondering if you knew the present situation of US Capital.

Are they still in business or are they in bankruptcy?

If you can, I would really like to find as much information about US

Capital as I possibly can.

Happy Holidays!

Bill Perry

bdperry1@bankdirectatm.com

Telephone: (708) 372-8159

Fax:(240) 757-8830

Website: www.bankdirectatm.com

Romans 10:9

---

(Rumor has it that Ernie Reinhardt was in jail, starting trial January 6^th.

We asked his attorney, Dean Steward, if this was true.)

“Thank you for asking, I appreciate it

“Not true- not in custody, and is staying with his father in law, a pastor in New jersey while we fight this...Ernie and I do start trial (today)- we WHOLEHEARTEDLY deny these allegation and plan to put on a powerful defense, including an expert in leasing. Government was set up by admitted fraudster Marc Washington from Baltimore, and we'll prove it.”

----

New Year's Resolution

Step forward in the New Year. Take the Challenge. Advance your career.

Become a Certified Lease Professional (CLP).

The CLP Foundation offers a Mentor Program to registered exam candidates. Visit -

http://www.clpfoundation.org/Departments/MentorProgram.htm

All Mentors are CLPs and have been where you are as a candidate. You may even take the exam anonymously.

Exam locations are available every month around the country. Visit - http://www.clpfoundation.org/Departments/ExamSites.htm

Make the CLP Exam part of your New Year's Resolution. You will be glad you did.

George J. Davis II, CLP

2003 President

CLP Foundation

PH: 610/687-0213

FAX: 610/687-4111

www.clpfoundation.org

Email: cindy@clpfoundation.org

---

EAEL January 15^th Lunch, Atlanta, GA.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please check your calendar for January 15, 2004. The Atlanta Chapter of the

EAEL has reserved the Ansley Racquet Room for our first networking lunch of

2004. I hope to see you there.

<<...>>

Happy Holidays to you all.

Doug Welch

Hawk Financial Services, Inc.

6 Barksdale Dr

Atlanta, GA 30309

404-875-6904

404-455-9582 (c)

678-623-0253 fax

dwelch@hawkfin.com

---

Adrian Bulman Remembered

Kit, congrats on your article on Mr. Bulman. It’s nice to hear a good story

like that.

Tony Peck

http://www.leasingnews.org/#cron

Thank you for reprinting the industry analysis written by Adrian

Buhlman in December, 2000. It serves as a reminder of where we have

been as an industry over the past few years, and reinforces my belief

that Adrian was one of the true "professionals" in the small ticket

leasing industry. It is amazing to look back at his comments now three

years later and see how very insightful his analysis was.

Adrian was one of my best friends in this business. Reviewing his words

today makes me even more appreciative of our friendship and his wise

counsel. He is missed.

MARK H. SPEROS, Director

Broker Division

Landmark Financial Corporation

Englewood, CO

My name is Mike Brown from Atlanta. I have been meaning to write you to

have my 'job wanted' add removed as I have gone back to work in the banking

industry here in Atlanta. When I read your Adrian Bulman entry.......I just

sat for a minute and tears came to my eyes.

Adrian and I met in the early 80's. He always said I was the guy who got

him into the equipment leasing business. I had just been laid off by GE

because my unit was dissolved, and he had just quit Associates because he

was tired of arguing with his bosses (surprise or what?).

I was representing a small leasing company with an exec suite office, and he

had an office in same exec suite trying his hand at brokering car leases.

As leasing guys will always do, we decided that not only were we fast

friends.......but could do business with each other. Although we never

specifically shared offices, we did deals together until his untimely death.

We talked about kids (my youngest and his oldest were are about the same

age), wives (we both married red headed, tough negotiators), and of course

business.

Reading the report he gave you actually brought a smile. I moved from small

ticket into middle market and financial consulting early on, but he would

always call to tell me about some current fraud scam in the small

ticket/funding arena. He was famous for writing scathing

letters.........all in one long paragraph. It was great.

He was a wonderful friend.....a wonderful Christian who helped me work

through faith issues in very tough times that I had. I will never forget

him.

Happy New Year to all.....

Mike Brown

Atlanta, GA

Cronyism

I thought your reply about cronyism was a well founded reply. Cronyism is used in political appointments but it is also, based on, so my dictionary tells me, the Greek

"chronios" meaning "long continued" and used to mean "old friend." Who, at

our age, since we are same age, would not go to old friends whose opinions

we respect from past years of association?

The pins and pricks of constant caviling are difficult to tolerate on a daily basis but then you are a” public" figure, journalistically speaking, and you have no option but to

receive such comments. When some one speaks of "flavor" perhaps they would

be so kind as to quantify the flavor a bit since I don't understand such

innuendos of analysis. Such analysis leads to the well known "death by

innuendo" so often used by critics who have their own ax to grind and cannot

give meaning to their comments.

Keep up the interesting, and good, work.

Jerry Bernardy

Commonwealth Capital

(Thank you. Very well put. I think there is justification beyond the cronyism being a "friend."

You may have made a good point here. There has been a tendency to use the same people who often speak out, have an opinion, and are provocative.

I do think your comments are "valid" and despite my comments that I will

continue to quote my friends, particularly to those who give me "leads"

and "hot news" with and without attribution, I should be more selective and will try

to do so in 2004. I received hundreds of e-mails and am still going through

them about what readers like and don’t like. I hope to have an edition (at least one ) devoted to this.

I will be more aware of printing remarks from the same people over and over

again. Thank you for your input. editor )

I wish you a Merry Christmas !

and

A very Happy New Year !!!

Yours,

Christian Mateescu

(Secretary General of the Romanian Leasing

Association-

ASLR - www.aslr.ro ).

PS : I consider your Newsletter very valuable

(especially for someone like us, at an edge of

Europe..).

I am really sorry about your cat.....

(Yes, we have readers all over the world now, Australia, Africa...)

[Top]

### Press Release #####################################

December Growth Continues, But Slower, says NACM

NACM Credit Manager's Index (CMI) for December 2003: Growth Continues at a Slower Pace.

COLUMBIA, MD: --The National Association of Credit Management (NACM) has released its Credit Manager's Index (CMI) for December 2003. The CMI, a

monthly survey of the business economy from the standpoint of credit and collections, was launched in January 2003 to provide financial analysts with another strong economic

indicator.

The combined NACM Credit Manager's Index for December fell 6.6% to 54.2. While this is a significant decline, the positive factor to note is that the index is 410 basis points above its

reading of a year ago. Both sectors contributed to the decline, with the manufacturing sector contributing the most. The bottom line is that growth continues in the economy, albeit at a

slower pace.

The CMI survey asks credit managers to rate favorable and unfavorable factors in their monthly business cycle. Favorable factors include sales, new credit applications, dollar

collections and amount of credit extended. Unfavorable factors include rejections of credit applications, accounts placed for collections, dollar amounts of receivables beyond terms and

filings for bankruptcies.

A complete index including results from the manufacturing and service sectors, along with the methodology, is attached. To view the complete index online, go to

http://www.nacm.org/resource/press_release/pressDec03.html .

###

The National Association of Credit Management (NACM), headquartered in Columbia, Maryland supports more than 25,000 business credit and financial professionals worldwide with premier industry services, tools and information. NACM and its network of Affiliated Associations are the leading resource for credit and financial management information and education, delivering products and services which improve the management of business credit and accounts receivable. NACM's collective voice has influenced legislative results concerning commercial business and trade credit to our nation's policy makers for more than 100 years, and continues to play an active part in legislative issues pertaining to business

credit and corporate bankruptcy.

Contact: Norma Heim, NACM

410-423-1842

[Top]

#### Press Release ####################################

Cyence International, Senour Designs Form Alliance

to Facilitate Leasing and Financing System Integrations

BURLINGTON, CANADA, -Cyence International, Inc., a leading

provider of Web services software for global financial collaboration,

has announced a strategic alliance with Senour Designs, Inc., of Koleen,

Indiana.

Senour Designs provides independent customized support for leasing and

financial institutions that are licensees of the IDS InfoLease* Lease

Accounting package, specializing in the development of external

interfaces linked to InfoLease*.

"This new alliance fits perfectly with our mission of providing a

world-class, front-end business origination system that integrates

easily with back-office accounting programs commonly used by equipment

leasing and finance institutions," said Greg McIntosh, the chief

operating officer of Cyence.

Along with custom programming, Senour Designs offers conversion support,

training, custom documentation, and data extraction services.

Senour Principal Steve Jones said the alliance will be highly useful to

organizations seeking seamless end-to-end processing of lease and loan

transactions.

"Joining forces with Cyence International will allow us to leverage our

17 years of InfoLease* knowledge to enhance the front-end conversion and

installation process for our clients," Jones said.

"Senour Designs will widen its potential customer base and expand its

opportunity to develop products and services through this alliance," he

added.

"We have worked with Cyence through installations of both of their

primary products-ExpressOS* and ExpressCS*. We have found these

products to be extremely versatile, and the carefully managed

implementation projects have been quite successful," Jones continued.

The alliance between the two companies stems from recent work they

completed together for Volvo Commercial Finance.

Jones has been providing quality software solutions to the leasing and

lending industry for 30 years. Senour Designs was formed in 1991 to

respond to the specific needs of new users in managing conversion to

InfoleaseR and to provide customized interface and reporting products.

For more information, visit, www.senourdesigns.com

<http://www.senourdesigns.com/>

About Cyence International:

Cyence International Inc. is a leading provider of Web Services software

solutions for the world's banking, manufacturing, and equipment finance

markets. Its flagship product, ExpressOST, imbeds industry best

practices and enables real-time, online collaboration in the end-to-end

finance process.

>From Origination to Credit Adjudication, Document Management to

Auditing, Funding, and Booking, the Cyence solution has everything

needed to streamline financial transactions and achieve operational

excellence. For more information, visit www.cyence.com.

Susan Carol Associates

Connections in Communications

15 years in business

www.scapr.com

(540) 659-0843

[Top]

#### Press Release #################################

Dusch New LJN Equipment Leasing Newsletter Director

"Ray Dusch, an attorney with Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, in New York City, has been appointed to the Board of Editors of LJN's Equipment Leasing Newsletter.

This widely respected newsletter for the equipment leasing industry is published by Law Journal Newsletters, a division of American Lawyer Media. Ray has written numerous articles for ELN and several other equipment leasing publications over the last 23 years, and recently completed his three year tenure as a member of the Legal Committee of the Equipment Leasing Association of America."

Raymond W. Dusch, Esq.

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Tel: 212-756-2386

Fax: 212-593-5955

E-Mail: raymond.dusch@srz.com

Website: www.srz.com

[Top]

### Press Release ######################################

Cheryl Pasanen Joins Blackwell Consulting Services as Leasing and Finance

Consultant

Blackwell Expands Global Equipment Leasing and Finance Practice with

Addition

CHICAGO - Blackwell Consulting Services announced today that it is expanding

its global equipment leasing and finance practice with the addition of

Cheryl Pasanen. Effective immediately, Pasanen, 40, has joined the company

as a senior consultant, a role in which she provides clients with direction

and assistance on a variety of systems and operational initiatives.

"Cherie is the rare type of resource that this group models and embraces,"

said Cameron Krueger, managing director of Blackwell's Equipment Leasing and

Finance Group. "She possesses a blend of operational experience, systems

knowledge and strategic thinking that adds to our thought leadership and

allows Blackwell to continue as the premier management consultancy for

equipment lessors. We are very fortunate to attract this caliber of

talent."

Pasanen joins Blackwell after holding the position of senior business

analyst for The CIT Group, Inc. A key member of the Systems & Technology

Services Group, she was responsible for a variety of systems and operational

initiatives involving the development, integration and implementation of

systems solutions. Prior to CIT, Pasanen was a senior business analyst for

the Business Integration Group at Newcourt Credit Group, and before that, a

team leader/portfolio manager for Lessor Capital Services.

"Blackwell is a global firm with a highly respected equipment leasing and

finance practice that offers the highest quality of strategic advice,

technology software selection, business process re-engineering, systems

integration and data migration," said Pasanen. "I look forward to leveraging

my expertise to further these offerings and increase Blackwell's

opportunities in the $204 billion equipment leasing and finance industry."

About Blackwell Consulting Services

Blackwell Consulting Services (Blackwell) is a full-service, full life-cycle

management and information technology consulting firm, serving the

government, education, insurance, equipment leasing and finance industries,

among others. Headquartered in Chicago, it is the largest minority-owned IT

consulting company in the Midwest. Blackwell is a privately held company

with more than 260 full-time consultants and technical professionals in the

U.S., with remote offices in Atlanta; Bloomington, Ill., Cincinnati,

Columbus, Ohio, Jackson, Miss. and Miami. For more information on the

company, please visit www.bcsinc.com <http://www.bcsinc.com/> .

[Top]

### Press Release ##########################

FIRSTLEASE, INC ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS

FORT WASHINGTON, PA — Hugh W. Connelly, COO, is pleased to announce the promotion of Bill Clark to the position of National Sales Director and the promotion of Phyllis Schrader to Operations Supervisor.

In his position, Clark will be responsible for managing and growing the lease originations for FirstLease. His duties will include management of FirstLease’s national sales force, developing the sales management infrastructure, managing client relationships and overseeing direct marketing.

"Bill is a proven producer with a track record of success. His over 15 years of experience in business development, sales management and building lasting customer relationships lends itself nicely to his expanded role as Sales Manager," explains Hugh Connelly, chief operating officer of FirstLease. "It is these skills we look toward to aid us in growing our equipment leasing operation."

Clark received a B.S. in Marketing from Penn State University, State College, PA. He lives with his wife Eileen and 4 children in Newtown Square, PA

Connelly also announced the promotion of Phyllis Schrader. Schrader has been with FirstLease since its inception. Her expanded role will include oversight of the daily funding process and operations center along with the management of the staff, among other things.

“Phyllis’ organizational skills, attention to detail and overall understanding of the business make her a terrific fit for this new position,” commented Connelly.

Schrader is currently pursuing her Associates Degree at Montgomery County Community College. She lives in Burlington, NJ.

FirstLease (www.firstleaseonline.com) is a nationwide small ticket lessor headquartered in Ft. Washington, PA. Since its inception in 2001 it has grown to over $50 million in assets. In 2002, FirstLease acquired the assets of Hamilton National Leasing Corporation. FirstLease is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Firstrust Bank. Firstrust entering its 70th year, is a privately-held, family-owned $2 billion bank with 23 community banking offices located throughout the Delaware Valley.

http://www.firstleaseonline.com

CONTACT:

Hugh Connelly

FirstLease

Phone Number: 215-283-9727 ext. 210

Fax Number: 215-283-9870

E-mail: hugh@firstleaseonline.com

[Top]

### Press Release ##################################

News Briefs---

Tyco Jury Hears Of Ex-Chief's Bills

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2004-01-06-tyco_x.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/06/business/06tyco.html?pagewanted=all

Venture-backed IPOs hit highest quarterly level in three years

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20040105-1357-ca-venturecapital-ipos.html

Dollar hits new low against euro

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2004/01/06/dollar_hits_new_low_against_euro/

U.S. mortgage bonds climb, erase early losses

http://www.absnet.net/include/showfreearticle.asp?file=/headlines/2.htm

Construction Spending Sets Record

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57785-2004Jan6.html

Nasdaq Posts Highest Close in 2 Years

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57774-2004Jan6.html

[Top]

Sports Brief---

Green to Interview with Al Davis

http://view.atdmt.com/AVE/iview/knghtbre01200095
ave/direct/01/585515?click=

http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh=v2|308a|3|0|%
2a|b%3B6357538%3B0-0%3B0%3B7935811%3B1-468|60%3B358
6126|3604022|1%3B%3B%3f

[Top]

California Nuts Brief

Governor to speak on state of state economy

Schwarzenegger gets chance to do 'the extraordinary'

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/01/06/GOV.TMP

[Top]

"Gimme tht Wine"

Two Prominent Napa Wineries Open to the Public

http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,2300,00.html

Topping Off Wine in the Bottle

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1072962249123070.xml

Wine Events by State and Country

http://www.localwineevents.com/

[Top]

This Day in American History

Epiphany or Twelfth Day. Known also as “Old Christmas Day” and “Welfthtide.” On the twelfth day after Christmas, Christians celebrate the visit of the Magi, the first Gentile recognition of Christ. Epiphany of our Lord, one of the oldest Christian feasts, is observed in Romand Catholic churches in the US on a Sunday between January 2 and 8^th. Theophany of the Eastern Orthodox Church is observed in churches using the Gregorian calendar ( January 19 in those churches using the Julian calendar.) The feast day celebrates the manifestations of the divinity of Jesus at the time of his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. This was a major holiday in the colonies.

548- This was the last year the Church in Jerusalem observed the birth of Jesus on this date. (Celebrating Christmas on December 25th began in the late 300s in the Western Church.) The tradition was recognized in early American settlements.

1494- The first mass in America was celebrated in the Roman Catholic church on Isabella Island in Haiti. This was the first church established in the New World, founded by Christopher Columbus.

1639-The Virginia General Assembly ordered destruction of crop surplus: “ Tobacco by reason of excessive quantities made, being so low that the planters could not subsist by it or be enabled to raise more staple commodities or pay their debts, enacted the tobacco of that year be viewed by sworn viewers and the rotten and unmerchantable and half the good to be burned, so the whole quantity made would come to 1,500,000 pounds without stripping and smoothing.” Tobacco was a very important crop to export to Europe and this is the first evidence of control of price by destroying crop to bring up the price.

1759 -George Washington marries Martha Dandridge Curtis

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/mw1.html

http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/aae/first/01pw.html

http://home.xnet.com/~karens/Bryan/Goodge/MarthaWashington.html

1798-Birthday of Jedediah Strong Smith, one of America's greatest trapper-explorers, born Bainbridge, New York. Smith explored a stunningly large area of the Far West during his short life. He began his western voyages in 1822, when he joined the pioneering fur trader William Ashley on a trip up the Missouri River. Unlike earlier fur traders, who depended on Native Americans to actually trap or hunt the furs, Ashley eliminated the Indians as middlemen and instead sent out independent Anglo trappers like Smith to do the job. To escape dependence on Indians, though, Ashley needed to find his own sources of b