Description:

George Washington
New York, NY, October 3, 1789
G. Washington As Pres. 1st Congress, 1st Federal Budget! Including the Judiciary Act of 1789 & Establishment of Troops
LS
A letter to Samuel Huntington from George Washington, signed as President. 2pp, measuring 12.75" x 8", New York, dated October 3, 1789. Signed "Go: Washington." In this circular letter to the states, President Washington transmitted key legislation enacted by Congress during its first session in New York, March 4 to September 29, 1789. The first session of the First Congress under the Constitution enacted many pieces of legislation that shaped the nation. These included the federal Judiciary Act, which set up the court system, appropriations for the first federal budget ($639,000), and authorization for the President to federalize state militias during a crisis. With flattened folds. Very minor tears at fold intersections, otherwise in fine condition. Boldly signed.

Reading in full:
"Sir,
I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency the duplicates of the following Acts—Viz—an Act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States—
An Act to regulate the process in the Courts of the United States—
An Act to explain and amend an Act, entitled "an Act for registering and clearing Vessels, regulating the coasting trade, and for other purposes["]—
An Act to recognize and adapt to the Constitution of the United States the establishment of Troops raised under the Resolves of the United States in Congress Assembled, and for other purposes therein mentioned—
An Act providing for the payment of the Invalid Pensioners of the United States—
An Act making appropriations for the present year—
An Act to allow the Baron de Glaubeck the pay of a Captain in the Army of the United States—
An Act to alter the time for the next meeting of Congress—and
A Resolution for continuing John White, John Wright & Joshua Dawson in office until the 4th of February 1789.—"

Laws passed by the First Congress established the precedents for the day-to-day operations and organization of American government. These first actions ranged from mundane, such as changing the next Congressional meeting time, to exceptional, such as establishing the legal system for the new nation. The Judiciary Act fulfilled Article II of the Constitution, which required that the judiciary consist of a Supreme Court and whatever inferior courts Congress chose to establish. It created the three-tiered federal court system recognizable today, made up of District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. The relative power and authority between the state and federal was central to the debate, and one of the Judiciary Act's more controversial provisions empowered the Supreme Court to hear appeals of state court verdicts regarding questions of Constitutionality.

Other laws relayed concerned troops, who had to swear oaths supporting the Constitution, pledging allegiance to the United States, and obeying Presidential orders; and the first federal budget. The total appropriation of not more than $639,000 would be divided among the nascent government's bureaucratic functions ($216,000), the War Department budget ($137,000), debt payments on "warrants [bonds] issued by the late Board of Treasury" ($190,000), and $96,000 for pensions for wounded veterans.

Baron de Glaubeck, a German national and freemason, fought admirably in several Southern engagements and was given command of North Carolina's cavalry. Armed with only iron-tipped hickory bludgeons, he led his 300 mounted troops to confront a contingent of Cornwallis's army on their retreat toward Wilmington. In the ensuing fight, the Baron routed three regiments, apparently earning him Captain's pay.

Samuel Huntington (1731-1796) Born to a large Connecticut farming family, Huntington left home at 22, taught himself enough law to pass the bar, and at 34, was appointed King's attorney for the colony of Connecticut. He resigned to join the Revolutionary Cause, and in 1775, represented Connecticut as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Huntington signed of the Declaration of Independence, and in 1779, was elected 6th president of the Continental Congress. Two years into his term, the Congress acknowledged the Articles of Confederation as America's first constitution, and Huntington remained president of the Congress. He served as Governor of Connecticut when he received this communiqué from George Washington.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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    Dimensions:
  • 12.75" x 8"
  • Artist Name:
  • George Washington
  • Medium:
  • LS

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