LOT #25396 |
Sold on Feb 20, 2006 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
William Widgery 1789 Letter to Congressman Thatcher Complaining About Congress Planning To Take The "Excess" (today, Surplus) ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Feb 20, 2006 for:
$1,135.25
Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
William Widgery 1789 Letter to Congressman Thatcher Complaining About Congress Planning To Take The "Excess" (today, Surplus) Instead Of Letting The States Use It To Pay Their Own Debts. ALS: "William Widgery," 2p, 7.5" x 12". Newglocester, July 3, 1789. Integral leaf addressed by Widgery to: "Hon. George Thatcher Esq./Representative from Massachusetts/in Congress New York." "Portland July 7" in upper left and "Free" in upper right. In part: "I confess my self as much surprised at the Northern members being in favor of an Excess as I ever was at any one thing for if Congress should take to them selves the Excess we have nothing left to pay our States debt which is at least as much as 16 Hundred thousand pounds. If Congress would under take to pay all the state debts I should be willing to give up all the Excess with the import a part of which at present we in the states have a right to take, think for a moment what an inconsistent piece of work it will be to have the Continental Collector and the States Collector both calling on a poor man at one and the same time. Each for one dollar and he has but one. Which of these Collectors are to give way but one can have it...I think you would do well to give Congress the Exclusive right of Excess and Congress take upon them the payment of the States debts...." The First Congress had convened on March 4, 1789, just four months earlier. George Thatcher represented Massachusetts in the Continental Congress (1777-1789) and in the U.S. House of Representatives (1789-1801) as a Federalist. He was District Judge in Maine (a part of Massachusetts until 1820) from 1792-1800 and Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts (1800-1820) and Maine (1820-1824). A lawyer in Portland, Maine, William Widgery was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1787-1793, 1795-1797) and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Massachusetts (1811-1813). Slight wear at folds, hole at blank left edge as a result of opening the letter at the wax seal. Overall, in fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.Auction Info
2006 February Dallas Books, Autographs and Manuscripts Auction (New York City) #626 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2006
20th-21st
Monday-Tuesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 891
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms