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John Adams & Timothy Pickering DS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
John Adams & Timothy Pickering DS
"WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS BY THE AUCTIONEER ONCE ALL BIDS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DETERMINE THE WINNER FOR EACH LOT."
John Adams document signed as President, dated 17 July 1798 from Philadelphia. Partially printed document appoints a group of men from Massachusetts to implement a new law to collect property taxes, including slaves, in preparation for bearing war costs with France in the undeclared naval ''Quasi War.'' Although the law enabled federal officials to assess property and collect tax, in a nod to state sovereignty, a local board in each state was created to interact with the public; this document appoints the Massachusetts board and reads in part, ''...Thomas Dawes, Nathaniel Dummer, Nathaniel Wells, Nathan Dane, Eleazor Brooks, Beza Haywood, Joseph Allen, Abel Whitney, and WIlliam Bacon, all of the State of Massachusetts...Commissioners of the United States under the Act of Congress of the United States, passed on the ninth day of July 1798, entitled 'An Act to provide for the valuation of lands and dwelling houses and the enumeration of slaves within the United States'...and do authorize them to execute and fulfill the duties of their said offices, according to law...'' Countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Document, measuring 14.5'' x 9'', has some separation at folds, affecting a few words, but not the signatures. Adams' signature is light though still large and legible. Light transference of seal in blank area from folding. Document has been de-acidified and archivally framed to a size of 39'' x 21.5''. Very good condition.