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1p. Marked "Copy" at the upper left. Docketed by Huntington on verso. Folio. The Tonnage Act of July 20, 1789, was just the second act passed by the first U.S. Congress and signed into law by George Washington, preceded only by the related Tariff Act of July 4, 1789. Designed to raise revenue to pay off federal debt, and protect American shipping interests by taxing vessels entering U.S. ports, the Act favored domestic, American-built ships over foreign-owned vessels. It charged American ships 6¢ per ton versus 50¢ per ton for foreign vessels to help boost the national economy of the new nation. Indeed, it is estimated that the tariff and tonnage acts taken together accounted for nearly 90% of the federal revenue prior to 1800. On July 23, Washington had written to each of the Governors of the United States, sending them a copy of the Act and asking them in a postscript to "please acknowledge the receipt of the several acts which may be transmitted to you." In the present letter written a week later, of which this is a retained draft, Signer of the Declaration and Governor of Connecticut Samuel Huntington complies with Washington's request, writing: "To the President of the United States of America. Sir, I do myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd Instant, together with the Act Imposing Duties on Tonnage, which this day came to hand. With the greatest consideration & respect, I have the honour to be your most obedient humble servant, S. Huntington." Huntington and Washington had a close relationship during the Revolution, with the former serving as the President of the Continental Congress from 1779-1781 while Washington commanded the Continental Army. After the signing of the Articles of Confederation in 1781, Huntington became the first "President" of the United States. Upon receiving news of Huntington's passing from Oliver Wolcott Sr., Washington expressed his formal condolences, writing on February 1, 1796, that ". I regret the loss of so worthy a character." (The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 19, 1 October 1795-31 March 1796, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2016, p. 429). This brief letter from Huntington to Washington not in the Papers. Usual folds. Housed in a morocco backed folder 1p. Marked "Copy" at the upper left. Docketed by Huntington on verso. Folio.
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