[Rhode Island]:

(CIRCULAR.) GENTLEMEN, THE FREEMEN OF THE TOWN OF PROVIDENCE, DEEPLY IMPRESSED WITH THE INEQUALITY AND INJUSTICE OF THE ESTIMATE OF THE RATEABLE PROPERTY OF THE STATE, AS REPORTED BY SEVEN OF THE STATE'S COMMITTEE, AND ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY...

[Providence: 1796]. Broadside, 12-3/4" x 15-1/2", dated in type at the top, "Providence, June 29th, 1796." Six paragraphs in two columns separated by a decorative vertical line. A short, closed margin tear; a small pinhole slightly affecting a letter; light toning. Irregular bottom edge. Very Good. Signed in ink at the bottom "In Behalf of the Town" by Jabez Bowen, Moderator.

This scarce broadside invites "other towns to choose delegates to a meeting to be held in Providence July 26, 1796, in opposition to the tax estimate recently enacted by the state, and to devise means for securing redress." A great public outcry resulted from the legislation; citizens of Providence and some other towns charged that they had been taxed unfairly and excessively. The Circular denounces "the glaring inconsistency of an Estimate, by which enormous additions were made to some Towns, and the advantages to be derived from those additions confined to a few, who had no greater claim to relief than others, but obtained it by their influence in the Committee." Charges of corruption and misfeasance are legion.
Evans 31059. Alden 1481. NAIP w011880 [4]. Item #33604

Price: $750.00