Lot #5010

Thomas Jefferson Letter Signed as Secretary of State, Informing New Hampshire President Josiah Bartlett of Vermont's Admission Into the Union

Description

In February 1791, Thomas Jefferson sends to Josiah Bartlett “an Act for the admission of the State of Vermont into this Union”

Historic LS as secretary of state, signed “Th: Jefferson,” one page, 8 x 8.75, February 22, 1791. Addressed from Philadelphia, a letter to Josiah Bartlett, “The President of New Hampshire,” informing him that Vermont will be admitted to the Union, and providing copies of other acts passed at the first session of Congress. In full: “I have the honor to send you herein enclosed two copies, duly authenticated, of an Act for the admission of the State of Vermont into this Union; also of an Act to continue in force for a limited time, an Act passed at the first Session of Congress intituled ‘An Act to regulate processes in the Courts of the United States’; also of a Resolve directing in what manner new Editions of the Laws, Resolutions and Treaties of the United States shall be authenticated; and of being with sentiments of the most perfect respect.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing and staining.

The 2nd United States Congress, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, met at Congress Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 4, 1791 to March 3, 1793, during the third and fourth years of George Washington’s first term as President. On February 18, 1791, four days before Jefferson sent this letter, Congress passed an act to admit Vermont into the Union, which had for the prior 14 years existed as an independent republic. During the 1st session of the 2nd Congress, the bill was signed into law by President Washington on March 4, 1791, officially making Vermont the first state to enter the Union after the original 13 states. Vermont's admission act is the shortest of all state admissions, and Vermont is ‘the only state admitted without conditions of any kind, either those prescribed by the Congress or the state from which it was carved.’

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Remarkable Rarities
• Dates: September 04, 2024 - September 28, 2024

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