1303

Deportation of Foreigners, "to...prevent this State from becoming a receptacle for the outcasts of A

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:112.00 USD Estimated At:225.00 - 325.00 USD
Deportation of Foreigners,  to...prevent this State from becoming a receptacle for the outcasts of A
Passionate appeal to prevent immigration of "enemies of our independence," who "feasted with a malevolent satisfaction on the horrid catalogue of murders and devastations...." Salem (Mass.) Gazette, July 3, 1783, 10 x 16, 4 pp. Front page table, "Estimate of the National debt," with obligations variously in dollars and French livres, including Revolutionary War loans from Holland and Spain, the latter "borrowed...by Mr. Jay." "Loan-office Certificates reduced to Specie value, $11,463,802...Army Debt...Unliquidated Debt...Bounty due to Privates...(and) Deficiencies in 1783, suppose $2,000,000," the national debt, in all, totalling some $42 million. Plus two full columns of "Recommendations to the several States, by the United States in Congress assembled...necessary to the restoration of public credit...." Listing 25-year duties on imported goods, expressed in "90ths of a dollar," including "all rum of Jamaica proof," Madeira wine, pepper, brown sugar, molasses, cocoa, coffee, and other items, to pay down "debts contracted on the faith of the U.S., for supporting the war ...All charges of war...shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several states in proportion to the whole number of white and other free citizens...including those bound to servitude...and three fifths of all other persons...except Indians...." Inside, 1 1/2-column "Proceedings of Freemen of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia...Whereas in the course of the late war with Great-Britain, many persons, inhabitants of the U.S., lost to all sense of decency, virtue and public spirit, abandoned their country in the hour of her distress, and joined the armies, aided the measures, and incited the cruelties employed by the King...to reduce and to enslave us: And whereas... our struggle for peace, liberty and independence, hath been glorious & successful...it is appre-hended that they will endeavor to introduce themselves into the U.S., and solicit the restoration of property, justly forfeited for their treasons...To...prevent this State from becoming a receptacle for the outcasts of America...," those who withdrew from any state since Apr. 19, 1775 are banned from returning to Pennsylvania. "...(We) mutually pledge ourselves to each other, to use all the means in our power, to expel, with infamy, such persons who now have...come among us...Our momentary exultation changed to extreme anxiety, lest by the return of the unnatural enemies of our independence, the smiling prospects which now present themselves...should be clouded. We are actuated against this class of men...Many of them actually perpetrated...barbarity, and feasted with a malevolent satisfaction on the horrid catalogue of murders and devastations committed upon the Whig inhabitants of the U.S...It is unnecessary to designate by any particular appellation the persons referred to...We consider ourselves as acting...for those who may live after us...Justice, policy, and the obligations to perpetuate the freedom we possess, forbid us to permit the return of those degenerate and apostate sons of America, who hold principles incompatible with our republican government...." From London, reflection on "being plunged into the American war, the granting independence to America, and, to crown all, the late dishonorable, and ruinous peace...." Notice from citizens of Portsmouth, Va., pledging to "do all we can to prevent all traitors from effecting a settlement among us...." Description of "the new-erected town of Refugees...in Nova-Scotia." A rash of "mad dogs" in Adams, Mass. From Boston, "It is now confidently reported that the British army will leave N.Y. in the course of the month of Aug...." Ad for "New-Emission Money To be disposed of," silk handkerchiefs, and more. At top, in two contemporary hands, "Royalists" and "Mr. Lemuel Wood," possibly the Revolutionary War captain of that name. Clean 3" diagonal tear, varied foxing, toning, and light stains, wear at fold junction just below dateline, affecting few words, edge fraying, but still about good. Today's news - including immigration and the debt - as reflected over two centuries ago. WorldCat locates four copies.