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Michael Brown

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Autograph Letter Signed, New Lebanon, New York, August 14, 1833, to her mother, Mrs. Michael Burnham, New York City

Burnham, Liz quarto, 3 pages, plus stampless address leaf, formerly folded, portion of second leaf torn away, with loss of text, some splits along folds, else in good, legible condition. Miss Burnham recounts a journey from Utica to the Shaker Village of New Lebanon, enroute home to New York, relating one of the hazards of travel at the time, a bad case of food poisoning: “Dear Mother, Monday night at Lebanon. You think I suppose ‘tis time we were home – that we are wending our course towards that peaceful spot this will tell. We have just got snugly fixed at Lebanon, to remain, how long, I can’t tell as it depends chiefly on the condition of our invalid who has somewhat recovered since Saturday- We left Utica after a trip to Trenton, on Friday noon and on Saturday morning, on board of one of the Canal packets for our breakfast was placed before us a quantity of tempting corn – Pa imprudently eat of it, what he suffered he can best tell. He was taken at Schenectady with violent pain in his stomach not so bad though, but that we started for Troy and after stopping at several of the village Doctor’s and taking vast quantities of laudanum, peppermint & medicine no 6, he made out to reach that place but in the most excruciating agony and not a little alarmed. We immediately put him to bed and in the course of five minutes had a couple of Physicians administering their opiates, cathartics, and the like, which in three or four hours somewhat allayed his distress - We were all horridly frightened, for he was bad, bad. But don’t let this frighten you to death ‘tis all over now & he is bright as ever, going to enjoy the fun here a little, perhaps a day or two & then come home. We have had a most elegant time so far, only wish Hal or some of you had been along. I went to church Sunday to hear Mr. Butler, but was disappointed, the good old man was out of town, nevertheless, as a consolation the familiar phiz of his son Clement greeted my two longing eyes as I entered the door – glad I was to see a soul I knew. After speering about awhile I found French in another corner and these two Trojans have contributed much to my happiness comfort & well being – they are kindness and politeness, dear youths – This morning we went out to the Cahoes Falls under their special guidance & called on some friends of Hartford memory living at Lansingburgh – the Miss Stewarts found Sarah Brownell there had a frolic and came away The physicians all tell Father to keep moving and eat sparingly – we have evident proofs that this jaunting about is truly beneficial – Could you have seen him before this attack you would have been utterly astonished, not only at his improvement in good looks and strength, but in spirits and activity. He would walk sometimes a mile or two, quite as nimble as myself & without feeling much fatigue and nothing like a spasm. You would have been amazed to have seen him clambering, tugging and pulling himself up those rocks at Trenton Falls, but the doses they gave him at Troy have much weakened him and taken from him the rich brown hue and rosy tint that he gained at Lake George inhaling the pure mountain air. By the way Ma that is the most exquisite spot on earth, ‘tis charming, would that my descriptive genius could give you some faint idea of a little heaven upon earth, only waiting to be peopled by some of us choice spirits You are a lover of mature, of bright and beautiful things, Ma, so this is the place where you might indulge and never tire Saratoga was death to me the little while we were there, too heartless, I don’t like a throng – didn’t know anyone and there’s no feeling so near desolation as that of being alone in a crowd. T’would amuse for an hour or so – to witness the folly, fashion and flirtation going on, but then one worries and sickens of it ”
  • $100
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Autograph Letter Signed, Dec. 12th, 1860, Weston, to his sister, Sarah Van Doren

Vanhuschal, C. J. Quarto, 3 pages, formerly folded, some light ink smudging, else very good. Vanhuschal, an emigrant to Colorado, likely during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, writes his sister, seeking financial assistance, and informing her of his movements: “Dear Sister, I take the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to tell you I am in excellent health and have been ever since I left you may have thought strange that I have not written before this time but the reason why I did not write was I could not write anything good I should like to have heard how thing were going before this but had almost determined to never come back to the States until my circumstances were altered. I have been in the Rocky Mountains ever since I left home excepting last winter I was in New Mexico. I started for there this winter But hearing of very unfavorable reports from there the Company I started with concluded to come to the Missouri River I am here at Weston at present about out of money and can not get any thing to do as times are very hard here at present. I want you to send me twenty five or thirty dollars if you can get it for me any way or more if you can get it as my clothes are not as good as I would wish for. I will come home as soon as possible and return the money as quick as I can get it, if I am worth anything in the States yet I want to settle up my business and sell out or get it in a proper shape as I expect to try my luck again in the Gold Regions. I should not have been in need of money if I had known at Denver City that I was coming to the States as I could have come through a great deal cheaper and quicker some other way as we were 42 days in getting through at an expense of about a dollar a day each besides losing considerable on our team and out fit there was five of us in company and we used about three lbs Flour a day to the man I weighed 174 lbs yesterday. I shall not write any more at present as it would not be any use in trying to tell my travels in a letter I had kept a memorandum for five or six months but lost it. I want you to send the money immediately if you can get it if you do not send it I wish you would write soon and let me know so that I would know what to depend on. Give my love to all my friends as I do not know who is living or dead this is the first letter that I have written since I have left home therefore please excuse all mistakes ”
  • $175
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Typed Letter Signed, Huntington, West Virginia, October 20, 1913, to Democratic State Chairman Stuart W. Walker, Martinsburg, West Virginia

Wallace, George W. quarto, one page, formerly folded, hole punches along to edge of sheet, else very good. 1913 West Virginia Gubernatorial candidate accused of aiding Black saloon and brothel owner. Letter by Wallace, the lawyer for J.H. Long, a Progressive Party newspaper editor, about the Republican Governor of West Virginia offering to his drop law suits against Democrat and Progressive opponents who had published an election campaign allegation (unstated in the letter) that he had bestowed political favors on Negro proprietor of a saloon and brothel. Newly elected Republican Governor Henry Hatfield, a physician as well as a prominent member of the family involved in the violent Hatfield-McCoy feud, had won election in 1912 despite the national Democratic sweep of President Woodrow Wilson and the bitter Republican Party split with Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressives. Focused on a tumultuous coal workers strike which he denounced as union “anarchy”, Hatfield wanted to sweep under the carpet an election expose published in a Progressive newspaper alleging that a trusted “lieutenant” of his political machine was the “protected” Negro proprietor of a saloon and a house of prostitution, a “vile den of iniquity” where white women were “for sale” to Negro men, the profits benefiting Hatfield’s campaign. The victorious Hatfield had originally retaliated by suing both Long and Democratic chairman Walker for defamation. This letter by Long’s lawyer suggested that if Walker and Long would state publicly that they had not intended to thus “blacken” Hatfield’s “character” by their campaign allegations, the Governor would agree to “let all the [law] suits be dropped.” To sweeten the deal, Wallace, himself a prominent Democrat, mentioned that “About two months ago I was in Washington and had some business with the Attorney General. During a conversation with him your name was mentioned in connection with the District Attorney place for the Northern District. I took great pleasure in telling you were a good fellow ” Accordingly, one month later, President Wilson appointed Stuart Walker to that federal position, which he held for the next eight years.
  • $75
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Autograph Letter Signed, Clarksville, Tennessee, April 20, 1847, to her cousin, A. E. Minton, Carrollton, Illinois

McDaniel, Gertie S., quarto, three pages, plus stamp less address leaf, in very good, clean, and legible condition. McDaniel writes her cousin describing her journey via river steamboat to Tennessee where she became a teacher at the Clarksville Academy: “My dear cousin, we prolonged our trip by going up to Cincinnati, instead of proceeding immediately homeward we took passage on a fine boat at St. Louis, and as she was going directly to the above place, we concluded to keep on up the Ohio. The boat was very much crowded, but we had quite a pleasant trip. The boat stopped at all the little, as well as large places, so we had an opportunity of seeing everything, when we arrived at Louisville we found the river so low that it was impossible for the boat to pass over the falls (which are just below the city) and the canal, from the rise and subsequent fall of the river, was full of sand, so that we had to wait all day for it to be cleaned out. We took a hack and went through the city, and spent the time pleasantly, in looking round, at all the curiosities, we visited a handsome greenhouse, where flowers are raised for sale – about eight o’clock, the boat bell rang, and we learned to great delight that the canal was ready to receive us, so we started; few of the ladies had ever seen a canal, and all were eager to commence the passage. Well the boat began to puff away, and all rushed out on the guards, when just as we got midway the first lock, we stuck fast in the gate, in consequence of the mud, which had not been well taken away, and there we staid, until after puffing and blowing for about two hours we got loose. The boat was so large that we almost touched the wall, on either side, every few moments she would dash up against it, giving us some pretty severe jolts, and then such shrieks and cries as would assail our ear, from the lips of some affrighted passenger, we at last found ourselves, without accident at Louisville; here for knew nothing more of that night for I went to bed just then – a week from the Sunday we left Jourseyville we landed in Cincinnati. We staid here several days, and were much pleased with the appearance of the place, it a good many times as large as St. Louis, and dicedely more handsome. The museum pleased me more than anything I saw it is indeed worth visiting, we spent the whole afternoon there, and then had to give but a hasty glance at many interesting curiosities. My friend Emily Faxon is in Cincinnati, visiting some relatives, this you know added greatly to the pleasure of my stay there. Amanda went with us all the way; we are all delighted with her, she is so amiable, and lively. Dr Mc Clure speaks in warmest terms of her, perhaps he is captivated, by the way he says I must send you his best respects, with the request that you will send him a nice roll, all covered over with sauce when you see Mrs. Jones, tell her how much we were pleased with Amanda, . Tell her that she must let A go to school here, Mr. Douglass’s school (the Academy) is prospering finely, he is getting scholars from a great distance, a gentleman from Miss. Brought up three daughters the other day, to be educated here., he said the academy had a fine reputation down there – you will be surprised to hear that I have become assistant, in the school, but I am only pro tem Mrs. Douglas being sick, I consented to take her place for a few weeks, to accommodate them, I don’t like the occupation much There has been (and is still going on) a great revival of religion here, both in the Presbyterian and Methodist church. I don’t know how many conversions there have been, but about seventy members have been added to the latter church we lost a valuable member of the community last week, a young man named Gabey, who had been living here but a few years but was very highly esteemed he was a moral man but not a Christian, was a mason, son of Temperance, member of the Temple of Honor, and an Odd Fellow. I don’t think that anyo
  • $100
Autograph Letter Signed

Autograph Letter Signed, (only with initials), Baltimore, October 7, 1834, to his sister, Mrs. Mary Troth, care of Henry Troth & Co., 224 Market Street, Philadelphia

E.[vans], J.K. quarto, 3 pages, plus stampless address leaf, tear in blank margin of second leaf of letter sheet, due to careless opening, not affecting any text, otherwise in very good, clean, legible condition. A well-written letter by a Baltimore Quaker, written “one day after the glorious victory” in municipal elections of the newly organized Whigs. “ It will no doubt surprise a lady to be addressed with what I intend a description of our great & glorious Whig victory, but, as it is necessary for a voter to have a mother, among his other qualifications, and as the mother generally exercises an important control over the minds of her children — both male and female, it is necessary that she should be imbued with a little of the zeal of a Whig, so as to encourage her rising sons to pursue that path which alone will continue to keep our glorious constitution on its original bases, and the laws emanating from that constitution to be respected and obeyed. Yesterday was a proud day for our little monumental city, and I am happy in saying that my gloomy anticipations were not realized. The polls were opened at the usual hour and so great was the anxiety of all concerned to get their votes register early in the day lest some unforeseen occurrence such as death by making divers causes, should prevent them, if they delayed, that in two hours after the polls opened one half the voting was done. The greatest order prevailed throughout the day, and both parties acknowledge that they have never witnessed a more orderly, or quiet election, than the well contested one we had yesterday. It was an election of principle against unhallowed power — and principle prevailed. The first five wards of the city — the district (mis?) represented by Isaac McKim in Congress gave a majority of 219 votes against executive usurpations, the illegal seizure of the public monies, and the detested doctrines of the protest. The total majority of the city in favor of a more efficient “reform” than that promised by the “Old man” (or boy) is 314, which shows a gain on our side since last election of nearly 1000 votes. Does this not tell the “Powers that be” in more emphatic language than we used when they sent the “protest” for the inspection of the people that we hold no such doctrines as they are pleased to dictate, but that the people define for their selves the meaning of the great charter of their liberties. Our political opponents retained a cheerful expression of countenance throughout the day, and bet confidently in heavy amounts on the success of their candidates, but the Knight of the “rueful visage” paid them a sympathizing visit ere the watchman had cried “past 9 o’clock.” Indeed, I pity them on account of their mortification. They are so unused to defeat, have so long been the victors, that now the change depresses them beyond calculation. Poor Galled jades! They have not even the stimulus of the “Yellow Jackets” to destroy the effects of their iron collars. They have heretofore hugged their chains in ecstasy because they were gilded chains. But now they feel their sores because they are beaten and have foolishly parted with the “gold” — the only salve that could keep them easy. They have lost their party and have lost their money too. As soon as the result of the election was known, the Whig banner — which had been deposited in the Chronicle office — was brought into Market Street & sent forward to the residence of our principle candidate, followed by about 4000 Whigs. Other processions then took place and kept up the joyous uproar until 3 this morning. Some of the Whigs have been in ecstasy ever since, and all of them look happy. The barbers have been obliged to obtain recruits of journeyman & razors, and have agreed among themselves to shave the Hickory’s at so much per square foot. Their faces look as long as a barn door and they are so ashamed of them that it is a difficult affair to find one in the street. I feel nervous with excitement and two da
  • $150
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Les Noirs D’Après des Documents Officiels. Préface du Génèral Mangin

Séché, Alphonse “troisieme mille”, octavo, [6] [7] - 256, [2 blank] pp., original yellow printed paper wrappers, some dustiness to wraps, else very good. This book was an important source book for W. E. B. Du Bois’ The Black Man and the Wounded World: A History of the Negro Race in the World War and After, the work was of great personal importance to Du Bois, however, it remained unfinished. In the years during and immediately following World War I, W.E.B. Du Bois was deeply involved in organizing and writing a multi-volume work on the role of African Americans in the American Expeditionary Force. He hoped that African-Americans, through their participation in the conflict, would finally achieve their full rights of citizenship in the country they helped to defend. As Du Bois progressed on his work, he expanded his hopes that the participation of the soldiers of the African diaspora in the European conflict would result in the end of colonialism in Africa and better treatment for members of the African diaspora worldwide. The book also influenced Du Bois’ own burgeoning Pan African movement which engaged him simultaneously, organizing two Pan-African Congresses in Paris and Lisbon. Part of this inspiration came from the book offered here. Alphonse Séché was a well-known Parisian journalist, poet, and playwright. He had commanded a regiment of Senegalese soldiers during the war. The book offered here is a combination memoir, history, and propaganda concerning the place of African soldiers in post-war French colonial life. The book has a preface by Séché’s friend Charles Mangin, the architect of the French Force Noir. The book is not without its issues, including a paternalistic tone which falls flat today, but for Du Bois Séché’s book had one major practical conclusion: “The war has revealed a new factor in French power, The Black Army, whose general valor, as much European, as Colonial, tested now, can no longer be doubted.” For Du Bois the book was proof and served to countermand the disdain for Black troops exhibited by their white officer corps – something Du Bois saw first-hand and bitterly resented. Vindication of the African American soldier was the motivation behind Du Bois’ work. For a complete study of Du Bois’s efforts to complete his work see the recent excellent study by Chad L. Williams, The Wounded World W. E. B. Du Bois and the First World War (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023) For Williams’s treatment of Séché’s work see pages 234-235.
  • $750
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Autograph Letter Signed, February 14, 1832, Bayswater, London – A General Letter of Introduction to Nine Leading Horticulturists, Gardener’s, and Seedsmen of Paris

quarto, one page, plus docketing notes on integral address leaf, some foxing, formerly folded, else in good, legible condition. 1832 Massachusetts Farmer sails to Paris to meet the great Horticulturists of Paris. "The bearer Mr. B. Poor, a citizen of North America, much attached to agricultural and gardening pursuits and an honest and good man, is strongly recommended to your attentions and to those of all good Frenchmen who may be personally acquainted with Your most obedient servant, J.C. Loudon". Loudoun was a famous Scotsman, landscape architect of the Royal Horticultural Society, genius of greenhouse architecture (who coined the word “arboretum”), author of more than a dozen books, and, not incidentally, husband of a popular British writer of gardening guides for women as well as early science fiction. During the “Age of Jackson” when American science and technology was barely beginning to come into its own, it was remarkable that Loudoun should write this letter on behalf on behalf of Benjamin Poor, an unknown Massachusetts farmer, albeit an avid gardener, who journeyed across the Atlantic for the sole purpose of meeting the leading master gardeners of the world. As Poor carried this letter with him on his travels, it must have had the honor of being read by the most renowned botanists, nurserymen, horticulturists, seed, and plant importers of their day, including the master rose-hybridizer of the early 19th century and the designer of the royal kitchen garden at Versailles. One wonders if these men were amused to welcome a simple Massachusetts farmer who humbly shared their passions.
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Autograph Letter Signed, Savannah, March 11th, 1833, to Joseph Robinson Esq., Concord, New Hampshire

quarto, 3 pages, plus stamp less address leaf, formerly folded, hole in last leaf due to careless opening, affecting several words of text, else in good clean legible condition. Robinson, a New Hampshire native, had gone to Savannah for work, he was a “mechanic” and found employment with a Mr. Eastman, who evidently was selling many “guns and pistols” in the wake of the Nullification Crisis. Eastman was also manufacturing a “patent lever” clock, which Robinson was also involved with. “Savannah March 11, 1833 Dear Brother, I like the place very well, and have got acquainted with several of the people and find them very sociable. The church that I attend the same that I spoke of in my last, it is the finest that I ever saw it is maid of hewn stone and cost $ 80,000. the Preachers name is Preston is an Irishman by birth and is a fine man smartest speaker in the city and has the largest congregation it is full as large as Mr. Boutens, and has a large church, we have the most solem sacrament of any that I ever knew, the table is set in the broad in stead of siting in pews but it is more than full and have to sit in the pews we have 3 meetings on Sabbath and an Wednesday prayr meeting Friday even and Sunday morning I attend the meetings usually. I have not got acquainted with but a few of the people that belong to the church as yet I find it different here in getting acquainted than at home. I have not got acquainted with one that I have not been introduced. I have been to see the minester and find him a fine man very sociable. I said that there were but five churches but there is ten three of which is Blacks. I wish that you would send me a Patriot once in a while as I have not seen eny but the Journal since I left send one with an account of the election, and write how you make it at town meeting tomorrow. I hope you will carry the day but am afraid you wont write all about the affairs at home. I am very glad that they did not make out to get Stinson out of the prison. I wish you would write what it means in the Journal by having the Jackson candidates held up for office have the Feds maid an overture. I here nothing about politick here at all the people don’t say a word about it but Nulification that is all the go blue cock ades a plenty The Nulifiers have been o great benefit to Mr. Eastman as he has sold lots of guns an pistols &c. I have not had any talk with Mr. Eastman about terms yet and don’t expect to until July just before he leave for the north that is the time he agrees with Mr. Abbott Abbott has $ 850 a year pretty fair salary for a mechanic I expect he will have a thousand next year. We are going to making a few Patent lever clock this Summer with a balance instead of a pendulum they will be finished as same as Lever and worth $ 300 dollars a peace John W. Robinson” [sic]
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Archive Pertaining to the Auburn and Moravia Plank Road Company, and its President David Wright, of Auburn, New York, 1848-1862

Archive of 46 items - materials pertaining to this plank road company, correspondence, financial documents, receipts, stock certificates, etc. concerning the financing, incorporation, organization and maintenance of the Auburn and Moravia Plank Road Company, whose 18-mile road along the western shore of Owasco Lake connecting Auburn and Moravia is now part of present-day NY 38. Several portions of modern NY 38 were originally part of turnpikes and plank roads during the 1800s. On April 13, 1819, the New York State Legislature passed a law incorporating the Cortland and Owego Turnpike Company. The company was tasked with building a highway—the Cortland and Owego Turnpike—from Owego north to the then-village of Cortland. This route roughly followed what is now NY 38 north from Owego to the vicinity of Harford, where it would have turned north to access Virgil, then continued to Cortland by way of modern NY 215. A property dispute case in 1965 showed no evidence of this turnpike having been built. On April 13, 1825, the legislature chartered the Auburn and Port Byron Turnpike Company. The Auburn and Port Byron Turnpike began at the Auburn State Prison in Auburn and proceeded northward along the routing of NY 38 to meet the north branch of the Seneca Turnpike in the town of Brutus (now Throop). From there, the turnpike continued on NY 38 through Port Byron to the Seneca River, where it ended at a bridge crossing the river at Mosquito Point. In 1851, the Auburn and Moravia Plank Road Company was incorporated. They were tasked with connecting Moravia to Auburn by way of a plank road along the western side of Owasco Lake (now NY 38). The company was organized in 1848, its largest shareholder and president was David Wright, of Auburn, New York. Wright was an Auburn, New York attorney, the law partner of William H. Seward, he was the husband of Martha Coffin Wright, whose sister was Lucretia Coffin Mott. From documents in the collection, we learn that he held 433 shares of the company’s stock.
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Autograph Letter Signed, Boston March 31, 1812, to General John Blake, Superintendent of Indian Affairs &c., Brewer, Maine

Davis, Daniel folio, one page, plus stamp less address leaf, letter is worn, and damp stained, old tape repairs to second (blank) leaf of letter sheet, some splitting along folds, else in good condition. Davis writes to General Blake in his capacity as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, concerning the fishing rights to Shad Island, as well as other unnamed islands, which had apparently been ceded to Native Americans that year. However, Davis promises future legal action in the dispute to recover what he considers his rights to possession of these islands. “Dear Sir, Yours of the 23d Inst. inclosing the agreement of Mr. Treat and others by which the right to fish on Shad Island is surrendered to the Indians, for this year, has been duly recd – I am so far satisfied with this arrangement, that I shall take no further measures to recover possession of this or the other Islands, until after the next Session of the General Court. I expect, however, that early application will be made to the next Legislature, and something finally be done, by Mr. Treat and others, or I shall consider myself obligated to carry into effect the provisions of the last Resolves and I consent to this delay, wholly upon your Representation that the “Indians will be satisfied with Shad Island for thus year” – Your Ob Servt Daniel Davis P.S. I presume you will be vigilant in executing the provisions of the late resolve for the preservation of the timber upon the publick lands on your river – I shall be ready and happy to advise you at all times upon the subject of your duty – But as the powers given you by the resolve are so full your duty will be extremely plain in future. D. Davis” Daniel Davis was a prominent lawyer, state legislator, and government official of Maine when that easternmost territory of the United States was still part of the state of Massachusetts. A died-in-the-wool Federalist, Davis had been appointed by President John Adams US Attorney for Maine, a position he gave up after Thomas Jefferson’s election, moving to Boston to become Solicitor General of Massachusetts, in which sinecure he wrote a shelf of legal treatises and saw Maine “secede” from Massachusetts to become a state in its own right. This letter was written by Davis as lawyer for Massachusetts, which had sold to Major Joseph Treat, an Army officer and surveyor, several islands off the coast of Maine, with the proviso that the Penosbscot Indians, who considered this their ancestral home, could continue to fish from the islands for Shad. Acting on behalf of the Indians was their “Agent” – that is, the representative selected for them by the white government – Superintendent of Indian Affairs John Blake, a wealthy man who also held the rank of General in the Maine Militia. The Indians actually despised Blake and spent two decades trying, in vain, to get him replaced. That they failed was remarkable considering what became of Blake three months after he received this letter, when war broke out between the United States and Great Britain. The largely undefended eastern region of Maine was occupied by British forces, planning to annex the entire territory to Canada. Open conflict ensued in the spring 1814 when a force of 6,000 British troops and 5 warships assembled in Nova Scotia and began their campaign of conquest by attacking the town of Castine on the eastern coast of Penobscot Bay. A small contingent of US Army troops and Marines prepared to fight the invaders, begging Militia General Blake for assistance. He responded by sending 550 militiamen to their aid. But the untrained troops caught one sight of the Redcoats and ran away, leaving Lewis and Morris to save themselves. The British proceeded to occupy the town of Hampden, which Blake chose to defend, against the wishes of the alarmed residents. After a small battle – small because Blake’s militia men again ran away – the British pillaged
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Pair of Letters to James Macmanus of Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania from two Pennsylvania Politicians, John Hasson, and E. A. Weinman, 1836, 1843, concerning Political Machinations

two letters, quarto, 3 pages, formerly folded, some wear and repairs with archival tissue, else in good condition. The first letter discusses the election by the Pennsylvania senate of James Buchanan, the future 15th United States President, to the United States Senate: 1. “Harrisburg, Decr 15th, 1836 Jno. Macmanus Esq. Dear Sir, We have had quite a storm here for some days past which has not blown very advantageously to those who have raised it. Neither has it shaped its course towards the point at which it was anticipated it would prove most destructive, by the doings of sundrie members of Senate commonly called recreants, in non conforming to the law in relation to the election of United States senator. The election of that officer did not take place on Tuesday. From what has transpired there appears to have been an evident attempt by some of those men whose recklessness for the las two years I presume you are perfectly familiar with, to defeat totally the election of united states senator at this session. But as envy and malice always carries with them their own great punishment so in this case those men high in authority, held in violation of the wills of the people have been driven to the unenviable alternative of passing a supplement to the original law fixing the election of senator on Wednesday. This was the only refuge to which they could fly and intended for a month to cover their deep laid scheme of political depravity, But it is a covering of gauze through which all can see and just indignation of an insulted people will strip them to their last rag and expose them to the world in their own naked deformity. The democratic members of both branches had come to the fixed and unalterable determination to go into convention at the minute fixed by Law. The supplement was therefore hastily originated and passed through senate and came as hastily despatched to his exselency [sic] for his approval, in the meantime the democratic members of Senate into the House had everything in readiness in case of any failure and before the minute arrived had according to the rule sent in their committee to introduce the members of senate into the House to go into the election on the arrival of the committee in Senate consternation was conspicuously depicted in every visage of those who had been playing this game of iniquity. The democratic members of the Senate rose from their seats secured their Lots and was in the act of moving with the committee at this instant Lord clearly in breathless haste pressed through the crowd and announced to the Senate the approval and signature of his High mightiness to the bill, All further proceedings was therefore suspended until Wednesday at twelve o’clock at which time the election took place and produced the following result viz. James Buchanan 85 T.M. McKennan 24 C. B. Penrose 21 Speaker Cunningham 1 Leet 1 In conclusion I have only to add that I need scarcely write you on the above subject as I presume you have the whole matter in detail in the public journals before this time. I have not the time I should like to have to devote to my fellow citizens on many subjects, on account of being placed on several committees the duties of which are very arduous and require my whole attention late and early please write me soon In haste I remain Jno Hasson” “Harrisburg, Feb. 12th 1843 Dear Sir, Your favor of the 7th is received. In relation to the district I can only say that it is now impossible to tell in what shape the bill must pass. I have no idea that any bill which has been reported would become a law. The Senate amendments would have been concurred in without doubt, if they had not been postponed. Pomfret, you know, is not the best manager in the world. If it goes to a committee of conference I will have a pretty good committee a
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Autograph Letter Signed, Hampton, New Hampshire, Aug. 26, Monday, [1850] to her husband, Francis D. Anderson, West Windham, New Hampshire

quarto, three pages, plus stamp less address leaf, formerly folded, written neatly in pencil, very good, clean, and legible condition. Mrs. Anderson had been staying in Hampton, at a seaside boarding house trying to recuperate her health and describes her stay in Hampton, Rockingham County, New Hampshire to her husband, including an account of Native Americans camped in Hampton making and selling baskets: “My dear husband, Yesterday afternoon & evening we had a heavy rain accompanied with considerable wind. This has been a lovely morning, the sun rose clean & the farmers teams were on the beach quite early carting away the sea weed which had been thrown there during the storm in great quantities. I made a little way on the beach & witnessed with mingled emotions of delight & awe the violent waves as they dashed against the shore eliciting their spray their usual accompanients after a storm. Mrs. Watson & her two daughters left last Saturday. She is from Lawrence. Mr & Mrs Wheelwrights left today. So we have arrivals & departures. Mr. Warner came today for his wife who has been here since the first of July, she is an invalid keeps her bed the most of the time, was educated at Miss Grants school Ipswich, her husband has been Treasurer of the Vermont Central Rail Road. My time passes pleasantly here. My room is on the second floor, We have good board, have had good society & less pain than formerly. You would be surprised to see how long a stroll I take on the beach. I walk slow so very slow, that I ask no one to wait for me. Wednes. Mr & Mrs Warner & Miss Pratt left last evening. They would go as far as Salem last night. It will take them four or five days to reach home a long journey for one to perform who is so very feeble. Their home is at Burlington, V.T. Miss Pratt the cross eyed maiden lady that you saw here took care of her. Miss Purbeck the great sufferer of whom you saw some account in the Boston Recorder some years since died at her home in Salem last week. Her father who was the oldest man in Salem 93 years of age died last week. Perhaps you had better come for me as soon as Thursday next week. I still think I can ride to Exeter in a stage coach. There has been a party of Indians about twenty in number camping in Hampton. Their employment was making & selling baskets. Mr. Wheelwright asked one of them who had a papoose fastened to a board what she would take for it. Just the same you would take for your wife was the prompt reply. Three new boarders to day they are from Deerfield. This morning at the breakfast table there were but four of us Mr. Stone, Eld Hutchins a free will Baptist minister from V.T. Miss Prescott & myself. J. D. Anderson”
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Autograph Letter Signed. Los Angeles, Aug. 7, 1888, to James J. Flynn, Democratic State Central Committee [San Francisco]

quarto, one page, somewhat tanned, old tape repairs, mounted on separate stiff quarto sheet, good. 1888 Black immigrant 'stumps' California for Democrats. “Can you please forward me at your earliest opportunity a copy of President Cleveland Message to Congress wherein he recommends the payment of the Freedmen’s Bank Depositors sent sometime in Dec .86. I am a Colored man and as I am going to stump the State in interest of Democracy I would like to have it as it would enable me in my argument.” Jacobs was a British “Mulatto”, possibly born in Sierra Leone, Africa in the 1840s, who had immigrated to the US as a young man, in the 1870s. He had worked as a janitor at Los Angeles City Hall – where he probably acquired a taste for politics – before moving to northern California to become agent of an Oakland insurance company. Most African-Americans were Republicans in the post-Civil War era, so Jacobs undoubtedly saw an opportunity to advance his career by “stumping” California for the Democrats, who decried the “lawful robbery” of freed slaves, after the War, their deposits in a “Freedman’s Bank” squandered by “Republican thieves”. The Bank had collapsed in 1875, forcing depositors to wait a decade to recover their money until President Cleveland declared that the hapless “colored” should be reimbursed for their losses by Government funds.
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Autograph Letter Signed, as United States Senator from Massachusetts, Philadelphia, February 13th, 1792, to Thomas Dwight, Springfield, Massachusetts

quarto, two pages, plus stamp less address leaf, in very good, clean, and legible condition. Strong writes: Dear Sir, There has not been a Word of Objection to the Claime of Mr. Cotton but it was professed that a number of these cases should be provided for in the Bill some of which were very doubtful and have occasioned as lengthy Debates in the Senate as any Subject during the present Session, the Consideration of the Bill has been put off several times that Evidence might be obtained concerning those cases, but I hope it will pass in some form or other in a few days. It is agreed on all hands that the Indian War is a very unfortunate Business, the Sentiments concerning it in Congress are almost as variant as among the People at large. So then there is to be no Theatre in Boston I am afraid the newly acquired fortunes can’t now be spent in Massachusetts and that the Possessors will be obliged from that Consideration to leave the State – but there is one considering Circumstance the old Police of the Town is to be preserved and that will afford considerable relief to the married men. I am much obliged to Miss B. for her Complaisance in postponing the Ceremony until the Beginning of March but as it is uncertain whether I can return before the latter part of that month and it would be extreme Cruelty to Suggest a further Postponement I must request you to present my compliments to her and in my name at the wedding to wish her according to the ancient form, much Comfort in her new Boundings. I am dear Sir with Much Regard your friend & Servt Caleb Strong I have just had a Letter from Sedgwick which says that he proposed setting off from Stockbridge for this place today – “ Caleb Strong (1745-1819) was a lawyer, Federalist Statesman, Massachusetts legislator and official. He graduated from Harvard in 1764; studied law under Joseph Hawley; was admitted to Massachusetts bar, 1772. Served on committee for drafting the Massachusetts constitution, 1779. He represented Massachusetts in the Federal Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, 1787, advocating annual elections of representatives and choice of a president by Congress, also making the successful motion that the House alone should originate spending bills although the Senate might amend them. He served as U. S. Senator from Massachusetts, 1789-1796, he formed, with Oliver Ellsworth and Rufus King the bulwark of the administration in the Senate. He contributed to the drafting of the Judiciary Act of 1789, espoused the Hamiltonian financial plan, and introduced the bill for the chartering of the first Bank of the United States. At the beginning of the two-party system he associated himself with the Washington administration and the Federalists, supported the ratification of the Jay Treaty, and deplored the excesses of the French revolutionary government. As Federalist governor of Massachusetts, 1800-1807, he was an able administrator; during his second period as governor, 1812-1816, he was in continuous opposition to the national administration and the War of 1812. He approved both the calling of the Hartford Convention in December 1814 and its subsequent report. American National Biography, vol. 21 pp., 39-41
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Autograph Letter Signed, Aug. 11-14 [1830?]

Quarto, three pages, plus stamp less address leaf. Significant letter with several faults: Lacking a first page or pages written at an earlier date than the remaining text. Band of staining across all 3 pages some holes in the paper, affecting signature and 3 or 4 lines of text on each page with the loss of several words. 1830s Former Speaker of the House of Representatives recalls the transition from the John Quincy Adams to Andrew Jackson Administrations and the “folly to which demagogues would lead the people.” “Aug. 11. If the gravity of the last page needs apology, you see by the date it is a Sunday exercise and gravity can not be unsuitable to one obliged to say with Job in affiliation ‘I am made to possess months of vanity and wearisome nights are appointed to me.’ But while I write Sarah Jane comes with Album in hand and asks if I remember the Jubilee party [50th anniversary of Independence], at the same tire presenting a memorial of a meeting sufficiently joyful, however, otherwise some reflections may now be arising from it. After the public exercises were over in which I made an oration acceptable to my friends, you with a few others came in the evening to close the celebration in my drawing room. In the course of conversation it was proposed all should write their names that it might be seen how many could be found at the next Jubilee. Sarah Janes album was honored with the entry as follows ‘Jubilee July 4, 1826 Samuel Freeman MD, Anson Brown [long list of names] The simple copy tells a tale of grave import. In reviewing the past I find some political errors among these I reckon my refusal to be a candidate for nomination as governor. I preferred remaining in Congress, thinking it necessary to secure the election of Mr. Adams, as it proved in fact to be . Without the vote of the Saratoga district N.Y. would have been divided. With it my constant and earnest efforts barely saved the state. This event then considered so important to the country was likely injurious. As Jackson was to be President, it probably would have been less injurious in 1825 than 4 years after when his passions had become heated by the protracted contest. At the first period he would have fallen into the hands of safe counsellors. Mr. Adams honored me by asking my advice whether if Jackson was elected he ought to remain secretary of state. To which I said yes with good reasons. Clay too might have occupied an eminent post. And even Calhoun saved from the comet course of disappointed ambition. In my last conversation with Calhoun he attributed the political calamities of the country to the error above mentioned. But we acted uprightly and did not foresee the folly to which demagogues would lead the people. Again. In the office of governor I should have exerted the proper influence of the station to prevent or at least to postpone mad projects which have involved N.Y.in debt, until the enlargement of the Erie canal was completed. This last work can not be delayed without serious injury from the competition of the Welland, Pennsylvania and Chesapeake & Ohio canals. I might enlarge but am admonished to forbear. With all my offences and imperfections, this comfort remains. My conscience acquits me of any vote or act against the public good or the very right of the case, according to my judgment after diligent examination or any neglect to vote in Congress or the legislature. Nor can I recollect any offence growing out of envy, hatred or revenge. The prosperity of others has always given me pleasure and I have forborne to retaliate injuries against my bitter enemies when effectual means were in my hands; feeling how much I needed forgiveness of God I sought to practice it towards others. If I have been saved from this class of offences I attribute it under Providence in a good degree to the wise counsels of my excellent mother who in early youth impressed my mind with a horror of malignant passions by shewing their nat
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Autograph Letter Signed, New Philadelphia, Ohio, January, 30, 1841, to Leander Ransom, Columbus, Ohio

Folio, 3 pages, plus stamp less address leaf, separations along folds, small hole in bottom of second leaf, affecting signature, else in good legible condition. An interesting letter with various proposals to better Ohio’s economic prospects, arguing that Ohio’s farmers needed better mills and infrastructure to better compete with the agricultural products of western New York: “ It has long seemed to me that the interest of the agricultural portion of community of Ohio demands a change in regard to the disposition and marketing of their produce – of their grain in particular – That true policy would dictate to that class the propriety not selling their wheat in bulk, but of procuring the manufacture of it so that they may save what is called the “off-fall” for their own use. This “off-fall” consisting as I understand of the coarser flour – which many would probably choose to use at home if their superior could be sold in market – and the bran & shorts – or as some call it “Ship-stuff.” The last mentioned article it seems to me should if practicable be reserved by the farmer for food for stock, that by so doing he would be enabled to realize additional profits from his farm, his horses, - cattle, hogs, would be sustained and fattened by that article which I apprehend is by the present course of trade viz sending off the wheat in bulk – entirely lost to him. I say lost for it appears to me that the cost of transportation at least of wheat in bulk must exceed the cost of transportation of flout in Bbl to an amount greater than the value of the “off fall” in cash. It appears to me that the price of superfine flour generally in our domestic market or the advances, even made on superfine flour are equal to the value of the wheat required to make the quantity – if so then all the “off fall” is a dead loss to the farmer – and is of no advantage to the purchaser for manufacture at a distant mill on account of the increased cost of transportation, and risk of injury in transit. Besides I am informed that at Rochestewr, mills are – or have been constructed so as to throw bran and shorts into the river because it was there of little value. It seems to me that a change in the course of trade in this particular is desirable in a general point of view – as by it the available – or rather procurable funds of the country would not be invested - “locked up” in the article of wheat as has formerly been the case – The wheat of our country is bullion – the flour is coined cash – at fair prices. And I cannot see why the funds of traders should be invested in the general purchase of wheat, any more than it should be in the Land that produces the wheat – or the hands that are employed to till the land – it is a misappropriation of funds. When the flour is manufactured it then becomes a legitimate article of traffic and whether sold here – or forwarded to an ultimate market it possesses within itself the value requisite to send it to the house of the consumer. It may if you please be sent for account of the producer through his commission merchant – or purchased here at a price which the ultimate market will warrant – it like gold possesses within itself the intrinsic value capable of defraying the expenses of its transmission to the desired ultimate market. Why does “Ohio flour” sell at lower prices in New York than “Rochester” of “Western”? The quality of our wheat is as good as N. York wheat – Indeed much of the “Rochester” or “Western” is made of Ohio wheat! The answer is simply that generally our mills are not so perfect no is such exact attention paid to the manufacture. I submit that sound policy requires of our public functionaries and commercial men a course of conduct in relation to the subject that shall tend to improve our manufacture, and retain in the country for our own use those portions which will not bear transportation – hence it would result that mills should be improved in their structure, and that they
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Autograph Letter Signed, Peekskill, New York, to Rev. Hiram Bell, Marlboro, Connecticut

quarto, three pages, plus stampless address leaf, in very good, clean, legible condition. 1848 Connecticut clergyman’s distaste for populist slogans, symbols, and hoop-la in presidential elections. “ I have been reading in the observer some results of the election. It seems that General Taylor has a majority just equal to the electoral vote of New York: the majority of the popular vote in the Union is thought to be one hundred and forty thousand, of which 100,000 are in this state. It seems then that neither party could have succeeded without the vote of New York, and that in this instance N.Y. is more properly the key stone state. So far as military fame has an influence in our elections, I think it is to be deprecated, but in the present case this consideration has had but partial weight, and much care has been used to ascertain principles and to find out what measures the President elect would pursue. I hope therefore, no more will be heard about hickory poles, or ash poles, or hard cider, connected with the dignified business of electing a president for twenty millions of people On election day, we had, in a furious riot down at the river a display of the beauties of the [liquor] license law. As no law for the prevention of drunkenness can stand long among us, we must be content to pay the heavy expenses which crime must cast the community, and if such bitter experience cannot open the eyes of the people and make them wise, it seems their folly must remain without a cure. If you should see in your quiet place, one half the iniquity that reigns in this village, you and your people would think the enemy had indeed come in like a flood, and that Satan had taken to himself his great power ” The writer was an obviously conservative Presbyterian clergyman and schoolteacher, a graduate of Union College of a deadly serious bent. He made clear his disdain for the populist hoop-la which had crept into American elections since Jacksonian days - the “furious riot” of “drunkenness” on election day; the undue influence of military fame, rather than political principles, which had won the election for Generals Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison and, that year, Zachary Taylor, hero of the Mexican War; and the popular interest in fatuous campaign slogans and symbols like the Democratic “Hickory Poles” (recalling the nickname of “Old Hickory” Jackson) and the Whig lauding of Harrison as the “hard cider” man of the people.
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Autograph Letter, Franklin, [Venango County, Pennsylvania] May 10th, 1862, to Theora, Describing a Trip to Pittsburg and Western Pennsylvania

octavo, 4 pages, unsigned, possible incomplete, in very good condition. The writer describes his travels in Pittsburg and other western Pennsylvania towns, he provides an epistolary tour of Pittsburg’s industries of the day, an oil refinery, comments on the pollution “earth and air are impregnated with the aroma of petroleum”, lumber raftsmen and iron mills, before continuing on to New Brighton, New Castle, and Franklin, in Venango County: “My dear Theora, My letter from Pittsburg was written on Thursday morning and mailed then and there so I suppose you have read it before this time and I shall start from the point where I left off . After taking my breakfast at the St. Nicholas (which, by the way was an excellent one and at the moderate charge of 25 cents) I turned out to view the city, went to P. Office with your letter and thence across the Allegheny river and through the city of Allegheny to the heights beyond, from which a fine [view] of the rivers and surrounding country could be obtained – rambled over a German Catholic cemetery, on one of the highest hills and then descended towards the river and found myself, on plunging down into a deep ravine, in what I supposed by the stables and shanties around to be the Irish town, or suburb but the steep hill sides were terraced and laid out in rude gardens or graperies indicating a German population in part if not in whole. I threaded my way out towards the shore where a number of oil refineries are located. I entered one of them and discoursed the proprietor upon the subject of coal oil and he very politely showed me through his refinery and described the various processes and operations to which the crude material is subjected reserving only to himself the final chemical mystery which of course no “outsider” has a right to enquire into. He made me a present of a vial filled with the purified oil – transparent, warranted to be non-explosive, and to burn without smoke, or odor, in any properly constructed lamp; of which oil he offered to sell me one hundred barrels (more or less) at 20 cents per gallon! Cheap and brilliant light indeed. After parting from him I wandered among the oil boats, rafts and bins lying along shore all so saturated with oil, and the barrels which cover the landings and surrounding commons leak so profusely that earth and air are impregnated with aroma of petroleum and even the beautifully transparent waters of the Allegheny are glazed with a coating of the same material borne on the current towards the gulf of Mexico. I crossed, by a different bridge, to the Pittsburg side and got among the lumber raftsmen who tried to sell me shingles at $ 1.25 per bunch of 500 and boards proportionately low but I was not ready to purchase and left them for a peep at some of the large iron mills close at hand. These mills abound along the margin of both the Allegheny and Monongahela but more particularly in Manchester, which is across the latter river from Pittsburg. You may wonder how I had so much leisure time and I may state that a gentleman with whom I had conversation upon the subject of reaching the oil region, informed me that he had wells and property here and that he preferred to travel by the New Castle rout, when the Allegheny was not full enough for Steamboats to run. By this rout passengers take the cars (as I did) by the accommodation train of the Pittsburg and Chicago R. R. at 4.45 in the afternoon. As that hour approached I recrossed to Allegheny City, where the depot is, paid 55 cents for a ticket to New Brighton on the Beaver river, a distance of 28 miles, where we arrived about 6 ½ o’clock after a very pleasant run along the margin of the Ohio, among gardens and truck patches villas and towns so numerous that I cannot name near all of them, but there was Industry, Economy, and Freedom, - very good and suggestive titles; besides Rochester at the mouth of Beaver and but a short distance below New Brighto