1053

ANTI-EMBARGO BROADSIDE, CA. 1801

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
ANTI-EMBARGO BROADSIDE, CA. 1801
A scathing anti-embargo act broadside, ca. 1805-06, aimed directly at Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin and titled: The CONSTITUTION gone ! !", 2pp. 11 1/2" x 17 3/4", signed anonymously: "A Descendant of the Pilgrims". It reads, in part: "...The late act to enforce the Embargo, recommended by the American Talleyrand, 'Mr. Gallatin', has given the last blow to our Civil Liberties...its true title...should have been...'An Act to suspend the RIGHTS of the People and top create an absolute Dictator for indefinite period'..." The text continues, claiming that the act will deprive Americans of acquiring property, enjoying it, retaining the right to trials by jury, loss of property without due process, "nocturnal visits, by spies, informers and military hirelings...malevolence of personal enemies...subjects every man's most secret and confidential papers to seizure and examination...subjects the citizens to have soldiers quartered...taxes on bread, too...a ruinous and corrupting system of espionage...In short, it leaves but one dreadful, horrible alternative, Civil War, or Slavery...", etc. The verso of the sheet bears an abstract of the Embargo Act. One 4" split near top with just the tiniest loss to one word, a few wrinkles and two marginal stains away from text, else very good. Gallatin actually resisted Jefferson Embargo Act of 1807, which of course was a dismal failure and helped spark the War of 1812.

Estimate: $400 - 600.

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Part I: Lots 1-979 - September 27th, 2012

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