Lot 263
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) 3rd President of the United States (1801-1809). Document Signed as Secretary of State, 3pp (front and back plus front), Washington, 1791 Dec. 23. Extremely fine; Jefferson's large, bold signature is lightly traversed by a horizontal fold. Being the Budget of the United States for 1792, printed on laid, watermarked paper, signed in type by George Washington as President, John Adams as Vice-President, and Jonathan Trumbull as Speaker of the House of Representative.
Headed "SECOND CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: At the First Session, begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, on Monday the twenty-fourth of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one," and continues, "An ACT making APPROPRIATIONS for the SUPPORT of GOVERNMENT for the Year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two." The act specifies essentially three areas of expenditures: salaries and expenses of government officials, military expenditures, and debt service. The salaries of the President, Vice-President, Attorney General and the Justices of the Supreme Court total $53,000. The salaries of all House and Senate members total $129,000--less than the annual pay of a single member today.
Certain entries stand out: an appropriation of $2,500 "for the payment of the annual grant to Baron Steuben, pursuant to an act of Congress"; an appropriation for $19,772.79 "for the additional expense of enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States" for the first census, taken in 1790; and $1,000 "for the purchase of hydrometers for the use of the officers in the execution of the laws of revenue." The total cost of the Government's operations was approximately $600,000. Imagine the U.S. Budget today needing only three pages! An exceptionally attractive and historic document.
Estimated Value $50,000 - 60,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
