AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY A COMMITTEE REPRESENTING NEW YORK CITY AUCTIONEERS, TO T.K. JONES & CO., A PROMINENT BOSTON AUCTION FIRM, SEEKING ITS AID IN LOBBYING AGAINST LEGISLATION TAXING AUCTION SALES: "NEW YORK 19 DEC. 1817| MESSRS. T.K. JONES & CO.| THE ABROGATION OF THE LAW TOUCHING INTERNAL TAXES & WITH IT THE DUTY OF TWO PER CENT ON SALES BY AUCTION MUST BE A SUBJECT OF CONGRATULATION TO EVERY ONE INTERESTED IN AUCTION SALES. BUT SERIOUS APPREHENSION IS ENTERTAINED OF A NEW BILL ORIGINATING WITH THE SAME COMMITTEE THAT RECOMMENDED ITS REPEAL. THE DUTY IT IS SAID IS TO BE COLLECTED THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF THE CUSTOM HOUSE & FROM THAT DEPARTMENT THE AUCTIONEERS ARE TO DERIVE THEIR AUTHORITY, PARTICULARLY WHERE STATE REGULATIONS DO NOT INTERFERE TO THE CONTRARY: THIS IS A NEW PROJECT NOW BEFORE THE SAID COMMITTEE. IN SUPPORT OF THIS POSITION THE "MERCHANTS & TRADERS" HAVE IN CIRCULATION FOR SIGNATURES, A MEMORIAL OF SOME LENGTH & A GOOD DEAL OF ABILITY WHICH IS TO BE FORWARDED TO CONGRESS, IF NOT ALREADY DONE. IN TRUTH WE ARE INFORMED THAT THIS THING HAS BEEN IN AGITATION FOR MANY MONTHS & DIRECTED FROM ONE EXTREME PART OF THE UNION TO THE OTHER & THAT MUCH INDUSTRY HAS BEEN USED TO INTEREST EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS ON WHOM THEY COULD MAKE ANY IMPRESSION. OUR OBJECT THEREFORE IS TO MAKE YOU ACQUAINTED WITH THESE FACTS & TO INVITE YOUR COOPERATION WITH US. IN THE FIRST PLACE WE INTEND TO WRITE TO THE COMMITTEE OF WAYS & MEANS, INDIVIDUALLY OUR OBJECTIONS TO ANY DUTY WHATEVER ON SALES AT AUCTION AND DENY THAT ANY FACILITIES ARE AFFORDED BY AUCTION SALES TO DEFRAUD THE REVENUE &C AS HAS BEEN SO ERRONEOUSLY ASSERTED... WE ARE A COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE APPOINTED AT A MEETING OF OUR AUCTIONEERS HELD IN THIS CITY A FEW EVENINGS SINCE & WE SHALL COMMUNICATE OUR OPERATIONS ON THE OBJECTS CONNECTED WITH IT TO OUR BRETHREN IN PROVIDENCE, PHILADELPHIA & BAL[TIMORE] & WE BEG THAT YOU WILL MEET TOGETHER & UNITE WITH US IN DESTROYING WHAT WE CONCEIVE A DANGEROUS COMBINATION AGAINST THE FAIR & MOST USEFUL TRADE FOR PUBLIC GOOD & PUBLIC CONVENIENCE..."
New York: 1817. Folio leaf folded to 7 1/4" x 9". [2], [1 blank], [1-address] pp. Light tanning, old folds, small tear at main fold from opening wax seal [most letters of the word 'Baltimore' are lost], small 2" x 3" rectangle cut from blank leaf [no text loss]. Addressed..... More