Seth Kaller, Inc.

Following the provisions of a law passed on September 15, 1789, Thomas Jefferson, as Secretary of State, signed two copies of each law, order, vote, or resolution of Congress for distribution to the executive of every state.

“BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the act passed the last session of Congress, intituled ‘An act for the temporary establishment of the post-office,’ be, and the same hereby is continued in force until the end of the next session of Congress, and no longer.”

THOMAS JEFFERSON. Printed Document Signed, as Secretary of State, “An Act to continue in force for a limited time, an Act, intituled ‘An Act for the temporary Establishment of the Post Office,’” August 4, 1790, New York, New York. 1 p., 9½ x 15? in.

Inventory #26264.99       Price: $27,500

Historical Background
After Benjamin Franklin’s great efforts in establishing colonial posts to bring the colonies together, the Second Continental Congress created a nascent United States Post Office in July 1775. On September 22, 1789, the first federal Congress provided for the temporary establishment of a post office under a postmaster general appointed by the president. Samuel Osgood served in that role until the government moved to Philadelphia in August 1791.

This extension of that act was passed and signed on the same day as the Funding Act, one of the four central parts of Thomas Jefferson’s Assumption Plan.

It is very likely that Jefferson signed just 26 copies of this act, to be sent to the governors of the 13 states. Very few of the original signed copies of this act survive.

Condition: Mild toning in a few places well clear of text; very minor losses to the left margin.