1816 ALEXANDER J. DALLAS. Rare Census for the Slavery Sin Tax to Pay for War of 1812.

A very rare large 4to three sheet census reply for a request from the Treasury for a census of slaves in various states. On the heels of the War of 1812, Quakers saw an opening to at least disincentivize slave owners and make slavery less desirable. They lobbied Congress to tax slavery as a sort of "sin tax," akin to modern cigarette taxes, etc., The Government had already been considering the move to help pay for the expenditures of the War of 1812. The Act was passed and slaves began being taxed at the federal level.

Last offered at auction in 2011.

Dallas, A. J. Letter From the Secretary of the Treasury, Transmitting a Statement of the Valuations of Lands, Lots, and Dwelling Houses, and of Slaves, in the Several States, Made Under the Act of the 22nd of July, 1813. January 25th, 1816. Read, and Ordered to Lie Upon the Table. Washington. Printed by William A. Davis. 1816. 2pp.

A good copy, bound in wraps that are chipped as shown, nearly disbound, with generally bright pages.