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Samuel Huntington (1732-1796) Autograph Letter Samuel Huntington (1732-1796) Signer of the Declarati

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Samuel Huntington (1732-1796) Autograph Letter Samuel Huntington (1732-1796) Signer of the Declarati
<B>Samuel Huntington (1732-1796) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Autograph Letter Signed,</B></I> "<I>S. Huntington</B></I>" as Governor of Connecticut, four pages, 8 x 12.75", no place given, October 11, 1792. A lengthy address to the "<I>Gentlemen of the Council; Mr. Speaker, & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives</B></I>" discussing a wide range of issues before the legislature. He writes in small part: "<I>It is Expected your Committee appointed to Inspect the Grand list for a number of years past will make their Report at this Time... and Assist your endeavours to make such alterations in the mode of Taxation as may appear more Equitable & Just if such can be devised - A revision and alteration of our Militia laws for conformity to the Act of Congress as near as may be, will not Escape your attention. the Improving and repairing the more Important public roads is an object worthy the notice of the Legislature.... The applications for particular Acts of Insolvency seem to be encrasing [sic], & as Congress have made no provision in such cases, is it not Expedient that the legislature of this State, should make some regulation relative to the Subject, in particular to prevent a preference of debts in favour of the first attaching Creditors of a bankrupt Estate. there exists also another difficulty respecting those particular Acts of Insolvency: they appear, prima facie, to be expost [sic] facto laws, and in that view may perhaps be called in question as being repugnant to the Constitution of the Nation & void; to the great disadvantage of honest Debtors who may have religiously conformed to such Acts. You will remember that no provision hath been made by Government for the encouragement and Support of Schools the present year. Perhaps it may be thought by some, that this Subject hath been too frequently reiterated from the Chair; But let me observe that it arises from the Impression of a firm belief that it is Impossible for a free people to preserve their liberties & privileges... unless useful knowledge is generally diffused among them, & the principles of Virtue & religion included so as to obtain a governing Influence upon the Visible conduct & deportment of the Inhabitants; and were these favours properly upon every rising generation, I am fully persuaded that all Arbitrary & Despotic government would vanish away..."</B></I> Wonderful insight into the issues facing the state in the early days of the Republic, particularly on the subject of bankruptcy -- a significant concern for many years. Samuel Huntington was a self-taught attorney who held a number of official posts in Connecticut and became active with the Sons of Liberty in 1774. He served in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1784 and twice served as its president. In 1786 he was elected Governor of Connecticut and remained in that office until his death. Light folds, else fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.