Description:

Commerce
Washington, DC, ca. 1804
Report on Funding Lighthouses by Duty on Foreign Vessels Coming to American Ports
Pamphlet/Booklet
[COMMERCE]. Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, Report, Printed Pamphlet. [Washington]: 1804. 24 pp., 5" x 8.25". Disbound; light toning; with ownership signature of Samuel W. Dana.

This pamphlet, which belonged to Congressman Samuel W. Dana of Connecticut, reproduces the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures charged with considering whether to enact a duty on ships entering American ports to support lighthouses. The House of Representatives passed a resolution on February 3, 1804, to create the committee, and on February 18, Congressman Samuel L. Mitchell of New York presented the report of the committee.

On March 27, 1804, Congress passed "An Act for imposing more specific duties on the importation of certain articles; and also, for levying and collecting light money on foreign ships or vessels, and for other purposes," which imposed a duty of fifty cents per ton on all foreign vessels entering American ports after June 30, 1804.

Excerpts
"The propriety of imposing light-money upon vessels is universally acknowledged among maritime and commercial nations. Lights may be considered as affording greater security to lives and property on the seas, and as therefore lessening hazard and the rate of insurance." (p3)

"Our own government has attended to the erection of lighthouses, with a vigilant eye. Already their number on our extended sea coast amounts to thirty one...." (p3)

"The aggregate amount of annual expence for this good and salutary establishment, may therefore be estimated to be about 60,000 dollars a year." (p4)

"On considering what would be the best method of collecting a Tonnage duty for supporting light houses, it appeared to be better to declare that a moderate sum in gross, and in lieu of specific charges for lights, should be paid by every vessel, than to lay it upon the successive lights which they have seen, or may be presumed to have passed.
"The committee therefore submits its opinion to the House, in the form of a proposition, in the following words:
"Resolved, That a tonnage duty of forty cents the tone, be levied and collected, under the denomination of light money, from all foreign vessels which shall enter the ports of the United States." (p6)

Samuel W. Dana (1760-1830) was born in Connecticut and graduated from Yale College in 1775. He studied law and gained admission to the bar in 1778. He established a law practice in Middletown, Connecticut, and served in the Connecticut General Assembly from 1789 to 1796. He then represented the state as a Federalist in both the U.S. House of Representatives (1797-1810) and U.S. Senate (1810-1821). He served as mayor of Middletown (1822-1830) and presiding judge of the Middlesex County Court (1825-1830).

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

  • Dimensions: 5" x 8.25"
  • Medium: Pamphlet/Booklet

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

September 18, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000