LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30143

Artemas Ward Autograph Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Artemas Ward Autograph Letter Signed
<B>Artemas Ward Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> “<I>Artemas Ward,</B></I>” one page, 8” x 9.75”. Philadelphia, April 30, 1794. Addressed by Ward on verso to “<I>Honorable Samuel Holton (sic) Esquire/Danverse/Massachusetts,</B></I>” noted by Ward “<I>To be left at the Post Office/in Salem,</B></I>” franked “<I>Free Artemas Ward.</B></I>” Small circular postmark “<I>30/AP,</B></I>” also stamped “<I>FREE.</B></I>” In part, “<I>Yesterday three letters came into my hands addressed to you, I took one of them to be the Insurgent Newspaper; therefore took the liberty to open it, & finding enclosed with the Newspaper a letter from the Secretary of Massachusetts which is enclosed. Winthrop Seargent came to day to me and told me had leave from you to open your letters, as he expected them for him, I accordingly permitted him to open one & he found enclosed to him, he therefore took it. Thus I have accounted for the three.</B></I><B><I>The Senate yesterday rejected the bill that grew out of Clarks Resolves.</B></I></B></I><I> I was rejoiced, as was Mrs. Smith when Seargent informed me you arrived safe at New York Thursday last…</B></I>” On April 23rd, from committee, Congressman Abraham Clark, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, had presented a bill “to suspend the importation of certain goods, wares, and merchandise” on the House floor. On April 25th, the House passed the bill 58-34. Ward voted against passage; Holten wasn't present. The bill made it “unlawful to import into the United States any goods, wares, or merchandise, whatever, of the growth, produce, or manufacture, of Great Britain or Ireland” because of “violations committed by Great Britain, on their neutral rights and commercial interests, as well as from her failure to execute the seventh article of the treaty of peace…” The Senate vote was 13-13. Vice President Adams voted “no” to break the tie and the Senate advised the House that it did not concur in this bill. Samuel Holten, a Signer of the Articles of Confederation, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1793-1795) when he received this letter from Artemas Ward. He had previously been a member of the Continental Congress (1778-1780, 1783-1785, 1787) and had served as its President pro tempore in 1785. Artemas Ward was a colleague of Holten's in the House, serving from 1791-1795. In the Revolutionary War, in 1775, Ward was appointed by the Continental Congress as Major General, second in command to General Washington. Portions missing at right margin and blank left margin from opening of letter. Seal tear at right margin affects three words. Otherwise, in fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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