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First printing of the first Census Act...
First printing of the first Census Act...
Item # 581895
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March 10, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, March 10, 1790 This famous newspaper was the mouthpiece of the federal government so almost without exception the first utterances from Congress appeared in this newspaper before any other. The nation's capital was in New York City at this time. So it is of great significance that close to half of the front page is taken up with the very first printing of: "An ACT Providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States".
This was the Census Act, creating the very first national census, an event which would happen every ten years to this day. Included within the lengthy text is the chart of who is to be counted, specifically: "Names of heads of families", "Free White Males of 16 years & upwards...", "Free White Males under sixteen years", "Free White Females...", "All other Free Persons" and "Slaves" (see).
The text notes that: "...omitting in such enumeration Indians not taxed & distinguishing free persons...". The act is signed in type by the President: George Washington, as well as the Vice President: John Adams.
All of pages 2, 3 and most of page 4 are taken up with discussions in "Congress, House of Representatives". Complete in four pages, a bit of light staining at the margins, generally nice condition.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
No Longer Available
