Archive Record
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Metadata
Catalog Number |
MS050 B01 F23.09 |
Title |
William Gardner to John Langdon |
Scope & Content |
Four-page letter from William Gardner to John Langdon in Portsmouth. Congratulates Langdon on his "being honoured with the Congressional Chair previous to the arrival of our Illustrious President & that very respectable Character the Vice President." Reports that he has recently returned from the legislative session in Concord and that there was not much business to be conducted, save for the election of officers. General Sullivan was elected Chair with all of the Senate for him, except for Col. Rogers, Mr. Toppan, and Major Wallace. Gardner was unanimously reappointed Treasurer. He mentions Congress's reduction of the intended duty on molasses, which he sees as a welcome change because it will increase revenue. But he feels there needs to be further changes in the Import Act, such as a higher tax on the tonnage of foreign vessels, especially those from Britain. He suggests 150 cents per ton. "Restrictions on our part would operate favorably - by facilitating a commercial treaty with Great Britain, in which case a reciprocity of benefits would arise." He bemoans how little the southern states regard the interest of the northern, upon which depends the safety of those same southern states, but that they appear to "dread our growing greatness. Local prejudices must subside - and British influence must be banished from our councils, if we mean to be a respectable nation." "I am so much of an enthusiast as to suppose by prudent management, it's in the power of America from her many resources, to become the most powerful as well as the most free country on earth within a short period of time." Dated June 26, 1789. |
Collection |
John Langdon Papers |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
June 26, 1789 |
People |
Langdon, John, 1741-1819 Gardner, William, 1750-1834 |
Search Terms |
Exeter (N.H.) |
Subjects |
18th century |