Letter from Maine jurist David Sewall (1735-1825) to Congressman and Constitutional Convention delegate George Thatcher in 1789 regarding the receipt of a copy of the newly adopted Constitution and his suggestions for raising revenue for the new government by taxing imports on arrival at United States ports. Sewall had previously served as a delegate to the Massachusetts constitutional convention in 1779-80, and in shortly after this letter was written, was appointed by President Washington to the District Court for Maine, where he served until 1818. Single page on bifold sheet, center blank, with address panel. Approximately 300 words.
Sent from York, then part of the District of Maine, on August 10, 1789, the letter reads in part:
This is to acknowledge your favour of the 2d Instant, and a o. of sheets of the Constitu. Law, of the U. S. for which I thank you and shall endeav. to preserve them. We have been expecting every mail directions respecting the Import, not that I am personally interested, but the want of them puts some on thinking what has and will become of the duties that have & may arive sine the 1st Instant. I have suggested that as Congress have every need of saving they will douless find some mode of securing them. That as all Cargos are Entred with our Naval officer, they may make the Vessells that brot their Goods, upon which an Imprt became due, liable for the paiment before they depart again. As I have not seen the Collection Bill can say nothing upon it - But for some Hints I find the Naval officers are to be the Collcetors of Import in their several ports - and as Fees for customs and Clearnaces in many Ports will amount to a very hansome Sum, Query if Government ought not to avail it self of all such Fees as amount to more than a Competent Support. Some of them may probably exceed 2m. Dollars p Annum.
George Thatcher (or Thacher, 1754-1824) of Biddeford, then part of the Maine district of Massachusetts, served as a Continental Congress delegate to the Constitutional Convention from 1787-88, and was then elected in 1789 as a Massachusetts Representative to the U.S. House for the Maine district of Massachusetts, serving as a Federalist Party member until 1801. Manuscript material related to the adoption of the Constitution is scarce on the market, and of significant interest for historians.
