Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
WASHBURNE, Elihu B. (1816-1887) an American politician and diplomat. A member of the Washburn family of Maine, which played a prominent role in the early formation of the United States Republican Party, Washburne served as a congressman from Illinois before and during the American Civil War, and was a political ally of President Abraham Lincoln and General (later President) Ulysses S. Grant. Autograph Letter Signed, “E.B. Washburne” as Secretary of State, Paris, May 4, 1871, 1pp., VG. In small part, “Will you send to me, addressed to the State Department Washington, some blanks to enable me to make my tax return for last year which will be under the new law I believe. Also please give me advise that my salary is not taxed. ...” With the end of the Civil War the public's accepted cheerfulness with regard to taxation waned. The Tax Act of 1864 was modified after the war. The rates were changed to a flat 5 percent with the exemption amount raised to $1,000. Several attempts to make the tax permanent were tried but by 1869 "no businessman could pass the day without suffering from those burdens" The Times. From 1870 to 1872 the rate was a flat 2.5 percent and the exemption amount was raised to $2,000.
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