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MIDDLETON, ARTHUR

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
MIDDLETON, ARTHUR
(1742 - 1787) Signer of the Declaration of Independence. While serving in the militia he was captured by the British at Charleston in 1780 and imprisoned St. Augustine. Rare A.D. (unsigned), 1p. oblong 4to., [n.p., n.d., c.1782] proposing a draconian law to prevent illicit trade with the enemy. In full: ""Whereas Illicit Trade with an Invading Enemy is at all times an Enormous Offence, and the Commerce between the Citizens of these U.S. & the British is at this Critical Juncture become dangerous to the publick Liberty & unless stopped may shortly prove fatal by draining the revenues necessary for carrying on an Opposition to their measures for subjugating America -- Resolved that it be recommended to the Several States to pass Laws declaring those, who in any manner Carry on or Promote Trade with the Enemy, their Aiders or Abettors, to be guilty of Treason, & liable to the Penalties of Death & forfeiture of Estate real & personal"". Middleton was an advocate of extreme measures like these. While a member of the Committee of Safety for Charleston, he advocated the tarring and feathering of all loyalists and the confiscation of their property. Congress, however, did not appear to share his views. The only act that seems to deal with this issue appears in 1782, and specifically addressed captured prizes at sea by prescribing confiscation of the property in question. A few wrinkles along left and right margins, reinforced with period paper on verso, otherwise very good.