![Copies of Abstracts of Bounty on fish, &c. paid from January 1st, 1791, to March 31, 1795, as rendered to the Treasury of the United States, and there allowed [manuscript title on the upper cover]](https://jamescumminsbookseller.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/303197.jpg?auto=webp&v=1457008252)
![Copies of Abstracts of Bounty on fish, &c. paid from January 1st, 1791, to March 31, 1795, as rendered to the Treasury of the United States, and there allowed [manuscript title on the upper cover]](https://jamescumminsbookseller.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/303197_2.jpg?auto=webp&v=1457008250)
![Copies of Abstracts of Bounty on fish, &c. paid from January 1st, 1791, to March 31, 1795, as rendered to the Treasury of the United States, and there allowed [manuscript title on the upper cover]](https://jamescumminsbookseller.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/303197.jpg?width=768&height=1000&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1457008252)
![Copies of Abstracts of Bounty on fish, &c. paid from January 1st, 1791, to March 31, 1795, as rendered to the Treasury of the United States, and there allowed [manuscript title on the upper cover]](https://jamescumminsbookseller.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/303197_2.jpg?width=768&height=1000&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1457008250)
Copies of Abstracts of Bounty on fish, &c. paid from January 1st, 1791, to March 31, 1795, as rendered to the Treasury of the United States, and there allowed [manuscript title on the upper cover].
Newport, Rhode Island: 1 April 1791 - 1 April 1795.
Price: $2,000.00
About the item
Manuscript throughout, 13pp. on 9 leaves. Signed by Ellery 11 times ("Wm Ellery Collector"). Folio. Original drab sewn wrappers.
Item #303197
Contemporary gathering of customs records for "dried and pickled fish and salted provisions" exported from Rhode Island principally to the West Indies, between 1791 and 1795, with the signature of William Ellery appearing 11 times. Ellery (1727-1820) was the representative from Rhode Island in the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He signed these documents as collector of customs for the Newport District, a post appointed to him by Washington following ratification of the Constitution. These records indicates to whom the bounty was paid, the name of their vessell, the dates and destination of their voyage, the quantities exported, etc.
The export from Rhode Island of pickled and salted fish to the West Indies, as recorded here, was traditionally part of the triangular trade, with such preserved food being used to feed slaves in the West Indies, but also as long-lasting provisions to load onto empty slave ships on their return voyage from the West Indies to Europe or Africa.
