Description:

Paine, Robert Treat (1731-1814) Declaration of Independence signer, Robert Paine, pens and signs a letter as first Attorney Gen. of Massachusetts to Justices of the Court, requesting reconsideration of a penalty placed on James Lovel for importing Bottled Porter (beer) without a permit. James Lovel delivered the anniversary oration on the Boston Massacre and served as a member of the Continental Congress and a signer of The Articles Of Confederation One page autograph letter, on laid, watermarked paper 6.75" x 8.5", blank on verso, with docketed integral leaf. Overall slight toning commiserate with age. Boldly penned and signed. A fantastic autograph example from 1787, from a signer of the Declaration of Independence on behalf of another prominent historically significant person, James Lovel. In addition, James conceivably had a relationship with Samuel Adams, (whose family at the time were malt makers for the beer industry), which was possibly developed during Lovel's teaching at his Latin school which produced a number of revolutionary leaders including Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The letter touches upon the sensitive issues of the period surrounding import fees and taxation. Of interest was the era in which the letter was written, one in which the ratification of the constitution granted the national legislature exclusive power to impose tariff's and coin money, along with the flexibility to collect excises and levy taxes directly on individual citizens. Previous to this, in an effort to avoid raising taxes, and in response to the petitions of debtor interests, state legislatures endorsed the emission of large volumes of paper money. As had been the case during the War, currencies rapidly depreciated. The fiscal and monetary policies of the individual states threatened to undermine the stability of the national economy. In 1787, The ratification of the Constitution shifted the focus of power from the individual states to an invigorated national government. Congress's authority over fiscal policy and taxation reflected this transformation. The new Constitution, however, granted the national legislature exclusive power to impose tariffs and coin money, along with the flexibility to collect excises and levy taxes directly on individual citizens. Robert T. Paines plea to the Justices looked to reverse their decision of the penalty placed on James Lovel for importing Porter without a permit and for not paying import duties. James Lovel had secured five barrels of porter which was imported and brought into the commonwealth. "it is not of the growth or manufacture of any of the United States of America, that it was taken … without a permit therefore according to law and that no duty has been paid on the same, wherefore the said James Lovel…by force of the law of this Commonwealth the said five barrels of Porter are forfeited …the said James Lovel prays the consideration of this said Court." In full: "To the honorable the justices of the Court of Commons. Plan next to behold [illegible] of Boston [illegible] within and for the County of Suffolk on the first Tuesday of January in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight. James Lovel of Boston aforesaid Esq. Collector of [illegible] import and excise for the said County of Suffolk in behalf of the commonwealth himself and all concerned [illegible] liberty and [illegible] that on the twentieth day of September in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and eighty seven of Boston aforesaid he…and took into him (purification ) five barrels of Bottled Porter and that he had seemed that [illegible] according to law for [illegible]. And the said James Lovel Avery that the [illegible] five barrels of Porter was imported and brought into this Commonwealth that it is not of the growth or manufacture of any of the United States of America that it was taken out of same [illegible]without a permit therefore according to Law and that no duty has been paid on the same, wherefore the said James Lowell Avery that by reason of the principle [illegible] by force of the law of laws this Commonwealth the said five barrels of Porter are forfeited two thirds part to the [illegible] of this Commonwealth and one third part thereof to the [illegible] of said James Lovel wherefore the said James Lovel prays the consideration of this said Court that the [illegible] of law may be [illegible] on the ]illegible] and that the same may be adjudged forfeited accordingly."

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