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Sale 68
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Lot 92
1763 Order to Enforce Tax Collection in the American Colonies. Manuscript Letter Signed ("Egremont"), 3pp, Whitehall, July 9, 1763. As Secretary of State for the Southern Department, Sir Charles Wyndham, second Earl of Egremont (1710-1763),was the minister responsible for America. To an unidentified correspondent, possibly written as a circular letter to each of the colonial governors in America, or possibly to Thomas Gage, who was commander-in-chief of British forces in North America from 1763-1775. In part:
"Sir It having appeared that the Publick Revenue has been greatly diminished and the Fair Trader much prejudiced by the fraudulent Methods used to intoduce into his Majesty's Dominions contrary to [he names two acts from Charles II and one from William III] for preventing Frauds and regulating abuses in the Plantation Trade…by means of small Vessels hovering on the Coasts; And that this iniquitous practice has been carried to a great Height in America; An Act was passed the last Session of Parliament, intitled, An Act for the further Improvement of his Majesty's Revenue of Customs; and for the Encouragement of Officers making Seizures, and for the Prevention of the Clandestine Running of Goods into any part of his Majesty's Dominions….The Commander of His Majesty's Ships stationed in America will in consequence thereof, be vested, for the future, with the necessary and legal Power from the Commissioners of the Customs for carrying into Execution the several Acts of Parliament relative to the Seizing and condemning any Ships that Shall be found transgressing against the said Acts…." Egremont blames America for Britain's debt: "…this Nation is Labouring under a heavy Debt incurred the Last War for the protection of America…." and insists on "implicit Obedience" to the King's commands…in a Matter on which his Majesty lays so much Stress…." Some professional repairs. Boldly penned and signed.
In order to finance the Seven Years' War, the government had borrowed money from the Dutch, merchant bankers, the Bank of England, private companies and individuals, at high rates of interest. In order to pay off these debts, George Grenville introduced new forms of taxation in America. In 1764 the Sugar Act was passed. When the Sugar Act did not raise as much revenue as had been expected, the Stamp Act was passed in March 1765, resulting in riots throughout the American colonies, and culminating in the Stamp Act Congress. "No taxation without representation" became the cry, and so it began.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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| Realized $2,100 |
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