Thomas Jefferson letter, 1793

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Extent:
1 letters
Creator:
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 and Fenner, Arthur, 1745-1805
Language:
English

Background

Biographical / historical:

On December 31, 1792, President George Washington signed into law "An Act Concerning the Registering and Recording of Ships or Vessels" that outlined the process and criteria for registering ships and vessels as those of the United States. After March 31, 1793, only those vessels registered according to this Act or its predecessor (with fishing and coasting vessels excepted) would be entitled to the benefits of trading as ships of the United States. On January 11, 1793, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson sent out authenticated copies of the Act enclosed in a circular letter, including in this letter to Rhode Island governor Arthur Fenner.

Acquisition information:
This letter from Thomas Jefferson to the governor of Rhode Island, Arthur Fenner, was found in a folder in November 2011. It was given to Larry Wenger, then director of the Law Library, by Tom Weil sometime in 1986. (See: Larry Wenger to Marsha Trimble memorandum of Aug. 6, 1986). There is no other document referring to the provenance of the letter.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard