Details
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") as Secretary of State, to an unidentified governor, New York, 19 July 1790. 1 page, 4to, slightly browned, two small repairs along right-hand margin, evidence of mounting on verso, partial separation along central vertical fold (repairable).
JEFFERSONS TRANSMITS "THE ACT FOR ESTABLISHING...THE PERMANENT SEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES" ON THE POTOMAC
Secretary of State Jefferson had become embroiled in a volatile debate, with sectional implications, over a key element in Hamilton's plan for the public credit of the Federal government, specifically the issue of Federal assumption of debts incurred by the individual states in the long and costly war with Great Britain (totaling over 18 million dollars). At issue were great inequities among the various states, some of which had already made provisions to fund their debt, while others had not. Some states had suffered but little from the war. The Southern states, with smaller populations than the Northern states, were opposed on the grounds that the increased tax burden would be inequitable. Assumption was narrowly defeated when it came to a vote in Congress on 12 April. But at the same time, controversy over the location of the nation's new capital arose. Southern states were anxious that it be located along the Potomac rather than in one of the Northern manufacturing states (both Pennsylvania and New Jersey were also proposed). Jefferson was called upon to mediate in the discussions between Hamilton and Madison. Southern delegates agreed to vote for assumption in return for Northern delegates' votes to locate the capital on the Potomac. Both bills became law in July. Here, Jefferson fulfills his duty to inform the governors of the states of the new legislation: "I have the honor to send you herein inclosed [not present] two copies duly authenticated, of the Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the government of the United States; Also, of the Act further to provide for the payment of the Invalid Pensioners of the United States..."
Although Jefferson, in arranging this crucial compromise, had done what he believed to be in the best interest of the Union, his personal opinion was that each state should be left to settle its own war debt, and he quickly regretted his part in the decision as "the worst error of his political life" (Merrill D. Peterson, Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation, p.413).
JEFFERSONS TRANSMITS "THE ACT FOR ESTABLISHING...THE PERMANENT SEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES" ON THE POTOMAC
Secretary of State Jefferson had become embroiled in a volatile debate, with sectional implications, over a key element in Hamilton's plan for the public credit of the Federal government, specifically the issue of Federal assumption of debts incurred by the individual states in the long and costly war with Great Britain (totaling over 18 million dollars). At issue were great inequities among the various states, some of which had already made provisions to fund their debt, while others had not. Some states had suffered but little from the war. The Southern states, with smaller populations than the Northern states, were opposed on the grounds that the increased tax burden would be inequitable. Assumption was narrowly defeated when it came to a vote in Congress on 12 April. But at the same time, controversy over the location of the nation's new capital arose. Southern states were anxious that it be located along the Potomac rather than in one of the Northern manufacturing states (both Pennsylvania and New Jersey were also proposed). Jefferson was called upon to mediate in the discussions between Hamilton and Madison. Southern delegates agreed to vote for assumption in return for Northern delegates' votes to locate the capital on the Potomac. Both bills became law in July. Here, Jefferson fulfills his duty to inform the governors of the states of the new legislation: "I have the honor to send you herein inclosed [not present] two copies duly authenticated, of the Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the government of the United States; Also, of the Act further to provide for the payment of the Invalid Pensioners of the United States..."
Although Jefferson, in arranging this crucial compromise, had done what he believed to be in the best interest of the Union, his personal opinion was that each state should be left to settle its own war debt, and he quickly regretted his part in the decision as "the worst error of his political life" (Merrill D. Peterson, Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation, p.413).
Special notice
Tax exempt.