Thomas Jefferson Signed Act of Congress

$18,900.00

Jefferson addresses the collection of duties in 1791 during Washington’s first term in office...

A one page document, beautifully signed as Secretary of State, “Th: Jefferson,” by Thomas Jefferson.

The document, dated March 3, 1791, is “An Act of Congress at the third session, begun and held at the city of Philadelphia, on Monday the sixth of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety.”

The act reads in full:
“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That so much of an act, entitled ‘An act to provide more effectually for the collection of the duties imposed by law on goods, wares and merchandise imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels,’ as hath rated the rix-dollar of Denmark at one hundred cents, be, and the same is hereby repealed; and that this repeal shall be deemed to operate in respect to all duties which have already arisen or accrued.”

Signed at the conclusion by Jefferson, and also "signed in type" by House Speaker Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Vice President John Adams, and President George Washington.

The document, which measures 9.5" x 15.5", has very light haloing to signature, a bit of light mirroring of the text along bottom, scattered light edge wear and toning, paper loss to upper left and lower right (rounded) corners, and a few small tape remnants to reverse; otherwise in overall fine condition.

Pertaining to the subjects of duty collection and Danish currency—the rix-dollar, or rigsdaler, was the name of several currencies used in Denmark until 1873—this document holds the higher distinction of dating to the early days of the young America as it struggled to come into its own as a nation. The future president, serving as secretary of state, has endorsed this act, which as noted also carries the names of other founding fathers. A desirable document from Washington’s first term in office, during which he and men like Adams and Jefferson worked together to form the foundation of the United States.

Sold with Certificates of Authenticity from both The Autograph Source (Lifetime Guarantee) and independent third-party authenticator PSA/DNA.

MUSEUM-QUALITY FRAME (NOT PICTURED).

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