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George Washington Manuscript Presidential Pardon Signed ("G: Washington"). ...
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Description
The Third George Washington Signed Pardon to Ever Appear at Auction Remitting Proceeds for a Confiscated Vessel Used to Smuggle Rum
George Washington Manuscript Presidential Pardon Signed ("G:
Washington"). Single oversized sheet, 16 1/2 x 10 5/8 inches;
Philadelphia: "this fifteenth day of April," 1794 ("fifteenth" is
written in Washington's hand).Exceedingly scarce presidential pardon issued to David Blair charged with bringing in rum from Barbados in casks smaller than the 50 gallons stipulated by import laws. The punishment for smuggling or attempting to evade any import regulations often resulted in forfeiture of the vessel used. With this pardon, President Washington remits forfeiture of the vessel.
The pardon reads, in part:
"Whereas by the records of the district Court of the District of Georgia it appears that upon the bill of John Berrien inspector of the port of Savannah exhibited in the said Court of the Brig called the Mary commanded by Peter Smillie master and owned by David Blair was condemned as forfeited for having imported into the said District from the Island of Barbados two Casks of rum of less capacity than fifty Gallons each contrary to the act of Congress in such case made and provided and by the Judge of the same Court was ordered to be sold and the proceeds of such Sale to be distributed as by law is directed: And whereas the said David Blair hath petitioned that the said offence may be pardoned and the said forfeiture so far as the United States are therein interested may be remitted... it is made manifest to me the President of the United States that the penalties of the law may be properly dispersed with and a pardon granted to the said David Blair, so far as the same can be lawfully done. Therefore be it known that I have thought proper to pardon and by these presents do pardon and remit to the said David Blair, the said Offence..."
Washington signs at the conclusion, filling in the day of the month. Edmund Randolph signs beneath as Secretary of State. Blind embossed seal remains intact at left.
The Customs Act of 1790 was proposed by Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, as part of a comprehensive plan to stabilize the American economy and establish federal credit. Hamilton's vision was to create a robust system for collecting revenue through tariffs and tonnage duties, which would help pay off the national debt and provide the government with a reliable source of income.
The act specified the procedures for collecting duties on imported goods and the penalties for smuggling, including the forfeiture of vessels used in illegal trade. It also standardized the sizes of containers for certain imported goods, such as requiring rum to be imported in casks of at least 50 gallons, to facilitate easier taxation and reduce the likelihood of fraud. These regulations were aggressively enforced.
George Washington issued a total of 16 pardons during his eight years as President. Of all the Presidents, he issued the least number of pardons (except for James Garfield and William H. Harrison who each issued zero, both having died early in their tenure). This is only the third Washington signed pardon to be offered at auction, and the first in almost four decades.
Condition: Flattened folds, even toning, bumped corners, and uneven margin at bottom. Separations along the entire central vertical fold and the starts of the horizontal folds have been professionally repaired on verso at a much earlier time, resulting in adhesive staining with show though on recto. Two small mounting tabs at top corners on verso. Small bits of loss at right and left margins at folds not affecting any text.
References: https://www.infoplease.com/us/government/executive-branch/presidential-pardon-records. Accessed June 2024.
Auction Info
2024 July 25 Historical Platinum Signature® Auction #6294 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
July, 2024
25th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
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