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Lot 143: Jared Ingersoll SIgned Letter

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Lot  143: Jared Ingersoll SIgned Letter
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>A Signer of The Constitution Reflects on Tax Law!</b>

<b>JARED INGERSOLL, American statesman; a signer of the Constitution. </b>
Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Ingersoll'), 1 page, 8' x 10', no place, 1807. To a fellow lawyer. Very Fine; some minor chipping, and taped repairs at folds on verso. In full: 'I think you are right in your opinion upon the Ordinary under one Law, the Assessment is authorized in the manner of appointing the Assessor. Under the other do not conceive, the language of the laws do not include occupations, professions etc. In fact I believe under the Acts for raising County rates and levies, a personal tax other than on single men has been collected. I return your opinion. In CarsonÕs Case we have never prepared the statement for the judge, how shall we manage the business?'

Having a tax system which looks like someone designed it on purpose has been a challenge since the nationÕs very beginnings. Here Ingersoll, one of his dayÕs leading lawyers, interprets tax law. 'The Ordinary' refers to a civil officer who has original jurisdiction in his own right and not by deputation, whose powers are vested in him by the constitution and acts of the legislature; 'the Assessment', to making out a list of persons, and appraising their several occupations, chiefly with a view of taxing the said persons and their property.; and 'The Assessor', to one who has been legally appointed to value and appraise property, generally. with a view of laying a tax on it.