Description:

JAMES MADISON
(1751-1836) Fourth President of the United States considered the "Father of the Constitution", he authored the Federalist papers and sponsored the Bill of Rights. Good content L.S. "James Madison as Secretary of State, 2pp. 4to., [Washington], July 1, 1805 , a printed "Circular to the Consuls and Commercial Agents of the United States" detailing new regulations passed by Congress concerning ship registrations and epidemic diseases. It reads, in part: "...In the act passed the 27th March 1804, it is provided, that no vessel shall be entitled to a register, or if already registered, to the benefits thereof, if owned wholly or in part by any naturalized person who shall have resided for one year in his native country, or two years in any other foreign country, unless such person be a pubic agent of the United States. As at the custom-houses of the United States not only registers but sea letters are refused to vessels thus owned, it has been judged expedient to instruct you equally to withhold from them certificates of ownership and of other facts, implying that the vessel is American property... When registered vessels are lost, condemned as not sea-worthy, or are sold to foreigners, you will, with the consent of the captain, or other person representing the former owner, cancel the register and return it to the Treasury department; but if such consent is withheld, you will in lieu of the register transmit information of the circumstance, that recourse may be had to the bond. When the sale is made to a citizen of the United States, you are not to oppose the register's being returned in the vessel to which it belongs, as otherwise the purchaser may be exposed to weighty inconveniences, whilst the bond will operate as a safeguard against fraud... In order to the protection of our country from disease, and that the means practiced in other countries for its cure may be added to the existing stock of knowledge, you are requested to procure and transmit to this Department, from time to time, such newspapers, pamphlets and collections of facts as may make their appearance on the subject of epidemical disorders and quarantine regulations, during your actual residence at your respective stations..." Usual folds, lightly toned at margins, very minor marginal wear, else very good condition.

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June 3, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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