(Stock Certificate)
, partially printed stock certificate, measuring 8 x 11 inches, accomplished in manuscript, illustrated with two lithographic vignettes, one of an oil well in operation, and the other of barrels being loaded for market, embossed seal, signed by Henry McCrea, President, and W. Richards, Secretary, Each share was priced at % dollars. Some old folds, old adhesive stain along left edge, where it was formerly laid into an album, else very good. An early stock certificate from Pennsylvania’s Petroleum boom in the 1860s.
Hamm, John, (State senator) and James Hampson, (General Assembly representative)
folio, 3 pages plus stampless address leaf, some weakness at folds and hole from seal opening with loss of a few words of text. 1828 Ohio Jacksonian Democratic Legislators fear “conspiracies and plots” by “Blue Light” ex-Federalist supporters of “King John the Second” (John Quincy Adams). An important Ohio political letter from the tumultuous months before the presidential election when a new Democratic Party was still forming around the candidacy of Andrew Jackson and supporters of his opponent, John Quincy Adams, mostly remnants of the defunct Federalist Party, simply called themselves “Anti-Jacksonians”. The party lines were still so blurred that, as this letter from two Jacksonian state legislators makes clear, there was a great deal of mutual suspicion, approaching paranoia, about conspiracies and plots that grew out of confused loyalties. The text is particularly interesting because of the writers’ use of two forgotten political slurs – “Blue Lights” referred to former Anglophile Federalists who had been accused, for over a decade, since the War of 1812 which they had adamantly opposed, of having made friendly signals to British ships in order to warn the enemy of American blockade runners putting to sea from Connecticut. The other innuendo as the reference to John Quincy Adams as “King John the Second”, reflecting the Jacksonian claim that he and his “Blue Light Federalists” sought to reunite America with England, the new nation’s former colonial master. Both Hamm, the co-author, and Cox, the recipient, were notable Jacksonians. Hamm was a doctor who had served as a Surgeon in the War of 1812 before being elected to the legislature; he became so powerful in the politics of his county as to win a diplomatic appointment through political patronage. After Jackson’s election, Hamm was appointed the third American envoy to Chile after its independence from Spain. Cox, also an uncompromising Jacksonian Democrat, was the son of a Revolutionary War General and pioneer publisher of the first newspaper in eastern Ohio which became the most influential Jacksonian paper in the state. His better-known son, Samuel “Sunshine” Cox, was a US Congressman during the Civil War and was later appointed US Ambassador to Ottoman Turkey by Democratic Grover Cleveland. The text: “Among many of our very best friends (among whom we always class you) we have neglected to write to you supposing that you would in the common course receive everything going on here worth knowing. You are aware of our great difficulties of getting along here among a pack of as thorough going and [rude?] trained blue-lights as ever were permitted to run at large! However, so it is we are yet alive, and as much in the bargain! We had expected, that among our friends who came on here, that you would have been among the number. To those who came here they proved a great consolation; for believe us, that you can form, and we can describe, no conceptions of the conspiracies and plots which are hourly carried on here to put down every body who will not sing hosannas to King John the 2d. As you know, we have endeavoured, with all our might, to pursue a neutral attitude amidst these conflicting elements. How far we have succeeded, time must tell. There are very many trials, with which we are beset, which it is impossible now to give you any thing like a correct understanding. We have written to but very few of our friends. This is no place for pleasure or amusement to representatives who are disposed to do their duty to those who sent them here. Among our difficulties, you will know, that we have with us one person that there is no harm in keeping a watchful eye over. A word is enough – but how it will yet end is very uncertain. We have made and are daily making sacrifices on your account, and that of all our friends. Nothing that human [impunity?] or industry can effect will be withheld on our part until the close, but we are not at liberty to promise much on t
Philadelphia: 1820, first edition, octavo, 55 pages, sewn as issued, text browned, title page stained, several corners dogeared, else a good copy. Rare in trade, only one copy has appeared at auction and that in 1908. American Imprints 629, and 1791, one location (APS). OCLC locates four copies. An early promotion for the area of northern New York State, it promotes agriculture in the area in the hopes of luring prospective settlers, citing the advantages of a “double market”, east to Montreal via the St. Lawrence River and south by way of the soon to be completed “eastern section of the grand canal,” (the Erie Canal) as advantages to trade; Burr may have been a land agent or large landowner in the region. He writes in the introduction: “The north of the state of New York has of late, seriously attracted the attention of the public, and those who wish to ameliorate their situations; and many of my friends having often made inquiries relative to that country, I have thought it best to make the following extracts of authentic documents, which have the merit of having generally, (and very deservedly in my opinion) the confidence of the public ”
March, James
folio, two pages, plus stamp-less address leaf, some folds, and creases, else in very good, clean, and legible condition. 1848 British Immigrant in Pennsylvania Coal Mine Region, Petitions US Government for Worker’s Rights. “Dear Rebecca, I mentioned in my last letter that it was my intention to go to California but I am happy to tell you that I have done according to your wishes although I am sorry to tell you that I cannot fulfill my promises, that is, to spend Christmas with you as I have been appointed Delegate to Pottsville and Schuylkill County at large for the purpose of carrying out a petition that has been drawn by the Citizens of Tamaqua for the Laboring Man to receive his money and not Store Goods. Said petition to be presented to the Government to pass a Law to that effect so I hop[e] you will excuse my absence I promise you that I will ever be constant to you and none else for you are the highest in my esteem and is esteemed by all who know you. I must now conclude for it is very late and to morrow morning I must commences my journey ” 22 year-old James March, an immigrant from England who had apparently been ready to make the trek to California the week that President Polk formally announced the discovery of gold in America’s new western territory, acceded to the wishes of his sweetheart to remain in Pennsylvania. His census record describe him as “laborer” rather than a miner, but he seems to have been well-regarded by the disgruntled men who labored in the mines of the Monongahela Valley. Discontent had been rampant in the region since 1842 when miners of Schuylkill County marched on the County seat to protest low wages, a short-lived strike that was broken up by a local militia company. Then in 1848, the year this letter was written, John Bates, another British immigrant who had been involved in the Chartist working-class movement for political reform in England, organized a formal union which soon enrolled some 5,000 miners in Schuylkill county. Perhaps it was this organization that chose March to present a petition with their demands – not for higher wages, but to receive remuneration in cash rather than in kind. Seven months later, the union did strike for a wage increase, to which the mine operators were forced to agree, though the union itself collapsed after word spread that Bates had absconded with its funds. There seems to be no record of what became of March’s petition, but he, like his countryman, may have said farewell to the Pennsylvania coal mines soon after marrying Rebecca and becoming the father of a baby boy. There is no further census record of March or his wife in Schuylkill County after 1850.
Barrett, Thomas S.
quarto, two pages, plus stampless address leaf, formerly folded, in very good, clean, and legible condition. 1842 Ohio Democrat - an emigrant from South Carolina - attacks his Whig opponents. “ the new banking law is received here by the whigs – the Ohio Statesman [newspaper] has been in great [suspension?] to see the bill, it passed the house last evening, there was a meeting of merchants and others to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning the legislature for a Bank under the law. I understand that the law was generally approved of except by the Editor of the Times, who advised to wait until next winter and then would elect men who would go in for Banking on safe principles etc. There is much said and it will be greatly relied on for the electioneering purpose that means have not been provided in some way for the payment of bonds on the public works and for the completion of them, the southwestern part of the state will be made to believe I am afraid that their interest has been entirely neglected while the Banks only have been attended to by the present legislature. I am in hopes something will be done before the adjournment of the legislature in this matter that will satisfy that portion of the state on this subject, not only that justice may be done but that the Democracy of the state may have a hearty cooperation of all sections of the state in the elections next fall. I find that an unusual amount of local business has this session been before the legislature this session and as far as I can ascertain merely introduced by whig members and as I have had a long acquaintance with whig finesse I believe that there was a studied design to take up the time of the legislature on matters of a local nature so as to make political capital out of it; some four years ago I was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Miami County and at the first term of the Court the indictments found by the grand Jury was increased from about 15 or 20 to 80 and during all of my term the Grand Jury being mostly whigs every things was raked up and little found and when the election came on to reelect a land bill was published signed by .Thomas (our senator) and John G. Belfort, the former was my predecessor, the latter clerk of the Court charging me with taking up all the time of the Court with perilous State actions to the prejudice of other business and great increase of county expense and it had its influence, I was not reelected although I succeeded in the conviction of every case (all most) of importance and my whig successor failed in every case for his two years in every trial. I state this as a fact to show the great length the whig party will go for party purposes and I believe that local business has been greatly increased by them for the purpose and to [?] business of importance and to lengthen out the session. I am in hopes however that Democracy may continue triumphant, you will pardon this hasty epistle but feeling a deep solicitude for the honor and integrity of our present legislature who have done more for the great body of the people in the regulation of the currency than has been heretofore ” A lifelong Democrat, Thomas Barrett emigrated to Ohio in 1824 from his native South Carolina, where he had commanded a militia company during the War of 1812. He apparently came from a poor family, as he had received so little education as a child that he was forced to attend the same elementary school as his young son. Upon arrival in Ohio, after teaching school for a few years in the small town of Troy, he studied law, mentored by a judge, and then went into politics, holding a succession of local offices – County Auditor, Prosecuting Attorney (mentioned in the letter), Associate Judge, Commissioner of Insolvents, and Troy Mayor. He watched his state swing back and forth between the Democratic and Whig Parties – both divided into factions, but the Whigs suffering most by losing votes to anti-slavery third party candidates
Bradbury, Eben
quarto, 4pp., including stampless address leaf, separated at most folds, but repaired with non-archival tape, with only slight loss of a few words of text. 1835 Long letter from a “Yankee” silversmith turned Pennsylvania blast furnace manager and later prominent Massachusetts politician. “Dr Brother, Situated as we are here in the woods, surrounded by a population unlike that in which our earlier impressions were set I do not know that the diversity of taste, and character between a New Englander or 'Yankee' as we are here called and the Pennsylvania population taken in the general is greater than between many other different sections of our country; certainly not so great as between some districts of our widely extended union - yet here are many important particulars in which we disagree. The population of this portion of Penn. is a quiet, orderly and thrifty community. Originating as it has from two leading stocks, the German and the English, it partakes of the characteristics of both. Although this county was taken up and settled by English people and that character had predominated till 20 years since, it is now doubtful if the German is not getting the ascendancy. Since the last war large immigrations have taken place into it from Lancaster County, the great German hive and the largest of the agricultural counties of the State. With these accessions of numbers are acquired gradually the German tastes and notions particularly among the agricultural portion of the population. If we could incorporate (I speak as a Yankee) a little of New England intelligence and enterprise upon the German honesty and thrift I think we should make an excellent cross. The most objectionable trait in the German character is their entire indifference or absolute hostility to a system of public education. An opportunity of testing the strength and extent of this feeling has been afforded in the attempt to introduce a new School system by law. A public fund has been created by the State in aid of a system rf free schools, the State has been divided into large school districts generally consisting of counties and some time of more than one county - delegates chosen in the several townships composing a school district have been assembled in Conventions under the Law to decide whether the district shall be taxed to twice the amount of the bounty from the School fund receivable from the State on that condition. In most of the great school districts the "School Conventions" have concurrently legislated, I should say, and adopted the new law. The legislature in framing this School Law dared not make it imperative but so formed it as to be optional but created the strongest motive in any district to its adoption by appropriating the funds refused to others who would accept them and comply with the Condition of the Law. This appeal was most palpably to the selfish principles of the enemies of a liberal school system and under the circumstances a politic one as the event has proved for the system has been rejected in a very few districts only. It would seem that there must have been many districts that accepted the Law who were not decidedly in favor of the system and in some sort we may say in self defence, for since the Legislature assembled in Jany, their table has been loaded with petitions for its repeal! Our present Governor stands committed to the school law and it is most likely that the friends of Muhlenberg will attempt to [?] Wolf down on the School Law as the most popular and successful ground to war upon. Gov. W. is also committed to the extensive and expensive system of internal improvement now in progress and which has saddled Pennsylvania with a debt of 23 Millions of Dollars! Those improvements are not yet productive and the landholders are beginning to fear the inevitable necessity of a system of direct taxation to meet the payment of the current interest on these immense loans. The Muhlenberg party stand ready to battle on
Harbaugh, M. L.
Quarto, three pages, plus stamp less address leaf, in very good, clean, and legible country. 1850 Threat to burn down a Pennsylvania city of refuge for fugitive slaves. “Dear Mother, This place is very healthy now. I know of no disease or sickness at all except among a few old people. We had a great many alarms of fire a few days ago, a party of fellows from Phil. came up here and threatened to burn this place down but they were discovered too soon. They have had a watch out since and nothing is heard of them now. The place is not large enough for such persons to do any injury to it.” Why did the writer not mention the cause of the threatened arson? Mary Louisa Harbaugh was the newly-married young wife of Rev. Henry Harbaugh, a minister of the German Reformed Church, a conservative of Swiss-German descent who was a prolific writer and orator but was remarkably silent on the subject of slavery. On the other hand, Mrs. Harbuagh’s father, a prominent Lewisburg lawyer, was an adamant Abolitionist who had broken with the Democratic Party in 1840 to support the Free Soil presidential candidacy of James Birney. Maybe the young woman, 10 years younger than her husband, thought it best to avoid the subject for the sake of domestic harmony. But it would not be surprising if Lancaster and the neighboring town of Columbia, 11 miles to the west, were favorite targets of pro-slavery fanatics. Lancaster was the home of Thaddeus Stevens, one of the most vehement “radical” abolitionists in the US Congress, and, even before the passage that year of the Fugitive Slave Act, the city was an important way station of the Underground Railroad fugitives who proceeded from there to Columbia to cross the Susquehanna River, counting on assistance from the large free Black population. This notoriety must have attracted pro-slavery “incendiaries” who found arson a convenient weapon. Perhaps the subject of slavery, which often caused dissension within the German Reformed Church, was also a sensitive topic throughout the community. The Lancaster newspaper only reported that week that some “young scamps” had attempted to set fire to a building near the Rail Road. But only a young Black man was arrested on suspicion of arson, soon being released “for want of sufficient evidence.” The day after Mrs. Harbaugh wrote this letter, a large fire did rage in Columbia, burning down nine houses of “indigent” families, as well as the offices of the Columbia Spy newspaper. (“Spy” in the title was allegedly a subliminal reference to the city’s reputation as a secret refuge for escaped slaves.) The Lancaster paper noted only that this was “the work of incendiaries”, who were seen running from the scene before they could be arrested.
Crawford, William Lewis
12mo, 83 pages of entries, entries written in pencil, bound in sheep-backed flexible wraps, front cover detached, binding worn, number of preliminary leaves excised at an early date, first few pages dust soiled and smudged, some spotting and staining to text, else in good legible condition. Crawford records the events of his trip south and west from Georgetown, Quitman County, Georgia which borders Alabama, through small towns and villages across Alabama and Mississippi, across the Mississippi River to Louisiana and possibly portions of Arkansas. Crawford visits many plantations along the way in hopes of purchasing one and relocating from Georgia. He notes encounters with their owners, and slaves along the way. He also preaches at various locales along the way. Crawford and his son encounter considerable sickness during the course of their travels and on the return journey, near its end, Crawford’s son died and was buried in Pine Flat, Alabama. Crawford also notes expenses incurred, mileage and distances traveled and places where he preached. Sample Quotations: “May 2d 1860 6 o’clock a.m. Wm. L. Crawford & son left Georgetown, Ga. Traveled 20 miles eat a snack at 12 o’clock p.m. 3 miles E of Clayton, Ala at blacksmith shop of Mr. McMurray who is slightly paralyzed “ “Saturday May 5th My meeting day in Georgetown, Ga. Left Mr. Wrights passed through Greenville only 3 miles from Wrights on to Widow Watts where we bought for 15 ears of corn & 2 bundles of fodder, having traveled 21 miles. Eat our usual snack at a creek 2 miles west of Mrs. Watts having stopped ½ past 12 o’clock, Retraced our road having taken the wrong way about ½ & traveled to Mr. Wm. Swains Here we pleasantly passed the Sabbath ” “Monday May the 7th 1860 Traveled 24 miles partook of cold ham & biscuit. Here we discovered that we had been robbed of some of our rackers & biscuit by as we suppose, the little negro about in the house of Mr. Swain. Passed through Allenton 2 ½ miles & Camden 16 ½ to a branch 5 do west of Camden 3 o’clock p.m. Rode 5 miles crossed the Ala. River at Clifton pd 50 cts From that 3 miles to Dr. Walker a South Carolina gentleman who says that he is home sick wants to sell out & return to S.C. His price $ 18 pr acre for 1328 acres ” “Thursday 10th Drove 21 miles toward Enterprise eat at a beautiful stream crossing our road. 3 o’clock p.m. Here the horses run back a mile caught them & set sail Traveled 16 miles to Mr. R. W. Hough passing through Enterprise, paying 25 cents ferriage & $ 2.35 oats bill at night (Tallamoro creek)” “Tuesday 15th To Hazlehurst 9 ½ miles to Gallatin Copea County Court House, 4 miles. To Mason’s store 10 miles Ferguson Store 5 miles to Mr. John Walls 8 miles pd $ 3.00 wishes to sell his 1800 acres with stock of cattle, horses, hogs & oxen 5 or 600 acres open land. 1500 or 2000 lbs to the acre then 10 miles to Rodney on the East side of the Mississippi River ” “Thursday 17th Crossed the River & drove 15 miles to Waterproof pd $ 1.00 for feeding horses thence to Mr. John F. Goodrich Tensas Parish 10 miles west of Water Proof from Mr Goodrich 4 miles to Tensas River pd $ 1.20 from thence to the Bluff of Sicilly Island 6 miles thence to Bayou Lewy 11 miles thence 3 miles to Harrisonburg on Washita River on 5 miles to Mr. A.J. Reddilly ” “Saturday 26th Went to Shreveport in company with Wm. Harrison breakfasted & dined with Saml. Harrison going & coming. Met with A. S. Ely, wife & daughter at S. Harrison on this day.” “Sunday 27th Preached at a school house near Jno. C. Hodges” Monday 28 Cora, Jenny & Doak all sick. The 2 first with chill & fever the latter fever caused by exposure to the hot sun ploughing cotton for Wm. Crawford went to see a plantation belonging to Mr. A. A. Abney 300 acres cleared land, 800 in the tract price $ 8000 – half down. The balance in one & two years with interest. This tract of land i
Greene, Mary Jane
quarto, one-page, postal markings on integral address leaf, old pencil notation on address leaf” Militia mustered for trouble with suffrage party”, in very good, clean, and legible condition. “Mr A Richards Dear Sir, Nathanael has been much disappointed in not receiving the Pistol from Timothy, we hope it has not miscarried, as your reason to fear so – in consequence of not receiving it, my husband has gone this morning with his company to Providence his only dependence a pair of horse Pistols with flint locks which he feels are not much to depend on, one of his officers has a pair of pocket pistols and another none it is impossible to obtain any arms and if it had not been for a naval officer he would have been unprovided with a sword, you will see by this now important to him the loan from Timothy will be. All the forces of the state are in requisition, and every movement is more gloomy than the last, N with his company have been quartered in the Court house since last evening at 5 waiting for the militia to muster and be ready to take the same boat with them according to orders, the Artillery went yesterday at noon. The Suffrage party had taken 4 or 5 men and imprisoned them and it is said the Marshall also, they are very underhand in their movements and have done some mischief without any shew of force. I think this makes it more difficult to deal with them. We feel cast down but know in whose hands we are, I do rejoice that God the omnipotent reigns. I fear nothing will be accomplished without bloodshed, and the fearful question is whose will it be we all hope their friends will escape Mary Jane” The Dorr Rebellion was an effort made in 1840-42 to overturn the State government of Rhode Island by revolutionary means. After the Declaration of Independence, Rhode Island retained her charter government. Many of the citizens, headed by Thomas W. Dorr, of Providence, a member of the Rhode Island Assembly from 1833 to 1837, became discontented with the existing government and its limited suffrage. Mass meetings were held, and in October, 1841, a convention of delegates prepared a Constitution, which was submitted to a popular vote, and was claimed to have received a majority of the votes of the State. The legitimate government treated these proceedings as nugatory, and, in a measure, criminal. May 3, 1842, the “suffrage legislature” assembled at Newport, with Dorr as Governor. King, the legitimate Governor, proclaimed martial law. The suffrage party appealed to arms. Their troops were dispersed, and Dorr fled. He was afterward captured and convicted of treason but was pardoned in 1852.
Rogers, William T.
quarto, 2 pages, plus stamp less address leaf “I thank you for Mr. Pettit’s speech on the Oregon question. I go for Oregon – Strong – look back to 1800 & 1804 and say now what would have been the Situation of our Country if Jefferson had not had keenness of sight as a Statesman to secure Louisiana – what would have been the Situation of the Valley of the Mississippi if instead of the Stars and Stripes floating over the products of that fertile region, some foreign power had secured the mastery of the great outlet? So in some quarter of a century will it be with Oregon and California. Plant there our standard. Spread there the benignity of our Laws. Infuse there the Anglo Saxon spirit and generations there will yet rise up and call those blessed who in the present did so much in [perfection?] for them I see Mr. Dix has been going the large figure for the NYork Pilots Repeal. Is it possible that the Repeal can find power enough in either House to secure its passage? I fear it may not so be. Blight the commerce of our Country in some other way if it must be one but not by Repeal of that most just Law I see by the papers that the “NYork Yacht Club” are asking ”privileges” of Congress. What do they ask for? It is said they are asking to be exempt from the License Law. Can it be possible that men so rich as to [?] about in their miniature floating palaces are asking to be exempted from the payment of a few dollars per annum to the Government? Such is said to be the case if the Congress should favor them Pray what are they asking for? What is [?] relation to Jersey City? The Cunard Line will, if they come there under a civil enactment of Congress raise up that portion of our State and spread the benefit for [?] Do all you can to help it on. Why does not Government send Com. Kearny to the Command in the Mexican Gulf. He is the very man of all the Navy. He has been there so long that he knows all that is required for such a responsibility that the officers and men of the Service would flock to him and Victory is almost sure if he be the head. I’d volunteer myself to be with him if he would have the chance. St. Juan de Ulloa would soon be his if the [?] interest were only put under his direction ” Rogers was a prominent New Jersey mill owner who served in a number of local capacities, official and private, often in concert with his friend US Navy Commodore Lawrence Kearny, who had fulfilled several quasi-diplomatic functions on Naval voyages to China and Hawaii, and was said to be destined for command in the Gulf of Mexico while in command of the Norfolk Navy Yard, instead taking a year’s leave to become Mayor of Perth Amboy, his hometown. He was a distant relative of General Stephen Kearny, the “conqueror” of California during the Mexican-American War.
(Colgate Family Correspondence)
Large archive of personal and family correspondence consisting of 1,144 letters, 4,183 manuscript and typescript pages, approximately 85 related ephemeral items, 3 account, scrap and notebooks, 4 photographs. Archive of correspondence and personal papers of Richard M. Colgate and Henry Auchincloss Colgate, scions of the Colgate family, founders of the present-day Colgate-Palmolive, global household, and consumer products company. Richard Morse Colgate born 21 March 1854 in New York City was the son of Samuel M. Colgate (1822-1897) son of William Colgate, took over the family soap business after his father’s death in 1857 and reorganized it into Colgate & Company. His son Richard, in time was president of Colgate & Company. The letters detail the lives of the Colgate family then living in Llewelleyn Park, West Orange, New Jersey, their interactions with their friends and neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Edison, and other industrial magnates. The Colgate’s discuss their domestic and social lives, business, politics, social work, philanthropy, travel, and their often-surprising attitudes towards taxation and the progressive policies of Roosevelt. There are a number of letters between the Colgates while Henry was a student at The Hill School and then Yale. Harry Colgate traveled to India, China, and Japan in 1914. The Colgates were interested in the commercial prospects of Asia, especially China. While Henry was abroad World War I broke out. Upon his return to America, he went to work for the family firm and was active in Y.M.C.A war work once America entered the war. The Colgate’s discuss the war and its effects on America, American life, and business. The collection also includes an excellent series of letters written while Colgate was training to become a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Chanute Field in Rantoul, Illinois, Baker Field, San Antonio, Texas, and Park Field, Wellington, Tennessee. The letters offer highly detailed descriptions of pilot training and life in the earliest days of U.S. military aviation. Samuel Colgate introduced Cashmere Bouquet, the world’s first milled perfumed soap in 1872. Then in 1873, Colgate introduced its first Colgate Toothpaste, an aromatic toothpaste sold in jars. In 1896, the company sold its first toothpaste in a collapsible tube (which had recently been invented by dentist Washington Sheffield), named Colgate Ribbon Dental Cream. Also in 1896, Colgate hired Martin Ittner and under his direction founded one of the first applied research labs. The manufactory he built in Jersey City developed into one of the largest establishments of its kind in the world and is now part of Colgate-Palmolive. He was also prominent in philanthropic work. For more than 30 years he was trustee of Colgate University, and for many years he was president of the New York Baptist Education Society, president of the Society for the Suppression of Vice, and a member of the executive committee of the American Baptist Missionary Union and of the American Tract Society. Conjointly with his brother, James Boorman Colgate, he gave large sums to Colgate University, which in 1890 was named in honor of the Colgate family. His son, Samuel Colgate, Jr. became the first head football coach at the school. Richard Morse Colgate, after graduating Yale in 1877, entered the employment of his father. Before the death of Samuel Colgate, the other brothers had all become employees of the firm, and by the father’s will the soap business was placed in their control. Afterward it was incorporated. Richard Morse Colgate became president of Colgate & Company. Richard Colgate was active in the civic life of Orange, New Jersey. He was active in the work of the North Orange Baptist Church and was a trustee at the time of his death in 1919. He was one of the founders of the Y.MC.A. of the Oranges, and for thirty-four years was a director
Hall, Hiland
quarto, 4 pp. including stampless address leaf with signed Free Frank, hole from seal opening with no significant loss of text, in good, clean, and legible condition. “ We are all in the highest spirits on the subject of the Presidential election. I do not think there is a Whig in Congress but most truly and sincerely believes that Gen. Harrison will be elected President, and it is generally thought by a very large majority. And I have good reason to believe such is the present expectation of the leading administration men, including Mr. Van Buren himself. It is said the administration has it under consideration to make some new movement in reference to the currency in order to escape from their present dilemma, and that Mr. Forsyth in particular is in favor of what he terms a Bank of Exchanges. I do not think any new movement can be agreed on, and if agreed on that it could help the administration. Any new move would be more likely to drive off old friends than to gain new ones. The party are determined to put Vroom Dickinson and Co. from New Jersey in the vacant seats pro tem, on the strength of the votes polled, without reference to the legality. Notwithstanding the amendment to the resolution by adding the word ‘lawful’, the committee by the casting vote of their Nullifying chairman will make the same report as if the word had not been added. I think the work will be accomplished in about two weeks, perhaps sooner. Perhaps the more summary the process by which the outrage is committed the better for the Whigs.” Written two months after the first Whig National Convention nominated General William Henry Harrison for President – and three months before the Democratic National Convention nominated incumbent President Martin Van Buren as his opponent. Van Buren’s chances for a second term were hampered by the economic downturn which had begun the year before – the start of the first great American Depression – which the electorate blamed on Democratic financial policies. Harrison, a popular hero of war against the northwest Indians in 1811, would win by an electoral vote margin of 234 to 60, and then tragically died unexpectedly shortly after his Inauguration. The Whigs would also win a majority in both houses of Congress in that election, this despite the electoral dispute in New Jersey, discussed in the letter, in which former New Jersey Governors Peter Vroom and Philemon Dickerson and three other Democrats would successfully challenge the congressional election of five Whigs as certified by the sitting Whig Governor of the state. The writer was a member of Congress for 10 years before going on to hold a number of other public offices including United States Land Commissioner for Gold Rush California and Governor of Vermont on the eve of the Civil War, being a member of the “Peace Convention” of 1861 which tried in vain to find a means of preventing the impending conflict that would tear the nation apart.
folio, single sheet, old folds, some chipping, and tears along edges, with some minor loss to margins, some stains, spots, and toning. Old paper repairs on verso, along folds, with several recent archival tissue reinforcements, else in good legible condition. Docketed on verso “G Hesse”. Signed by John Cavendish (1732-1796), then serving as chancellor of the exchequer; and Althorp, i.e., George John Spencer (1758-1834), then serving on the Treasury Board, and James Grenville (1742-1825), member of the Treasury Board and Privy Council. Edmund Burke was then paymaster of British military forces and a Privy Council member. “Whereas our house of Commons by a vote of the 17th day of December 1781, have resolved that a sum not exceeding Seventeen thousand four hundred ninety eight pounds three Shillings and two pence three farthings, be granted unto us for defraying the Charge of a Regiment of Foot of Waldeck in the pay of Great Britain together with the Subsidy pursuant to Treaty with the Reigning Prince of Waldeck, for the year 1782, Our Will and pleasure is, that out of any money in your hands that may be applied to this Service, or that may be imprested to you for the same, you do pay unto the said Reigning prince of Waldeck, or unto such person, or persons as is or are duly authorized by him to receive the same the sum of One thousand nine hundred ninety eight pounds seven shillings and one halfpenny, without deduction, and without Account, for One hundred and twenty one days Subsidy for the said Troops pursuant to Treaty, from the 25th day of April to the 23d day of August 1782, both inclusive, And this shall be as well to you for making the said payment, as to our auditors & all others concerned passing your accounts for allowing the same thereupon a sufficient warrant Given at our Court at St. James’s the 10 day of May 1782, in the Twenty Second year of our Reign. By His Majesty’s Command ” The 3rd Waldeck Regiment was a single-battalion corps raised in 1776 specifically for British service. The Waldeck Regiment represented the smallest contingent of troops sent to America by any of the six “Hessian” states which sent troops to America. Waldeck was also the smallest state and the regiment represented about one in every six men in the Waldeck population. Waldeck was so small that today it is only half a county in the German Federal Republic. Of all the Hessian units employed by England during the American Revolutionary War, none traveled more widely than the 3rd English Waldeck Regiment. This contingent of men served in the New York- New Jersey area, West Florida, and the Mississipp River area. They were held prisoner at various times in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Some deserters joined the American army and served under George Rogers Clark in the Illinois country. In addition, the unit traveled to Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, and Nova Scotia. Waldeck located a few miles west of Cassel, had a population of 37,019 persons in 6,954 houses living in 6004 houses in 1780. The reigning prince, Carl August Friedrich, born in 1743, had ruled since 1766. Like his predecessors, he had a love of the military, and he entered Austrian service as a lieutenant colonel at the age of fifteen. During the Seven Years’ War he was wounded in a battle near Korbach, in Waldeck, and in 1772 he was made a lieutenant general in the Netherlands army. Prince Friedrich, as he was called, never married. He traveled extensively in Europe, but when at home conducted a splendid court with no consideration or concern about financial matters. In later life he wrote a history of the Seven Years’ War as well as a series of portraits of famous men. In 1793 and 1794 Friederich fought against the French, but later joined the Rhine Bund. He died in 1812. Indicative of both his travel and his connection with the Dutch and the Dutch military is a report of early Mar
Lodge, Henry Cabot (1850-1924)
quarto, one page, plus original mailing envelope, formerly folded, else in very good, clean condition. “ There is no doubt in my mind that the League in its present form is full of serious dangers, not only to the cause of peace but to the rights and interests of the American people, and I feel most strongly that we must have strong and effective reservations to be made a part of the ratifying resolution .” Lodge did not oppose America joining the forerunner of the United Nations but insisted on legislative amendments to protect American sovereignty. President Wilson himself was unable to effectively champion his dream because a month before this letter was written, he had suffered a stroke which left him “unbalanced”. One month later, Lodge and the Republicans he led in the Senate formed a coalition with Democrats who favored the Treaty of Versailles that would establish the League with reservations, but Wilson, his judgment “warped” by his illness, rejected the compromise on which they had agreed. In the end, the United States did not sign the Treaty and never joined the League - which later failed to prevent the aggressive conquests of Hitler and Mussolini and the march of the dictators toward another World War.
(McRae Family Letters)
35 letters, 125 pages, several accompanied by original mailing envelopes, some staining, and tears, with loss, else in generally good, legible condition. Letters of the McRae family of London and New York City, and intermarried relatives, the McRae’s were engaged in the silk trade, particularly in the manufacture of silk fringe, ribbons, and braid. The correspondence begins in 1825 when John McRae senior fled England for New York having failed in business, his stock, looms, and other property were seized, and sold by the sheriff, and he fled at least three writs and warrants against him to avoid imprisonment for debt. McRae’s oldest son, John Jr., remained behind to settle with the law and creditors and take care of his mother and siblings who were left behind in McRae’s haste to escape. McRae re-establishes himself in business in New York, in 1830, again manufacturing silk ribbons and trimmings, his wife and children follow him there, except for John McRae jr., who remains in England running his own silk concern, essentially functioning as an adjunct of his father’s American concern. The McRae’s prosper in the years following their financial embarrassment, John Jr. is evidently wealthy enough to go fox hunting on a regular basis, and his father was worth over $ 30,000.00 at the time of his death. In 1852, the New York business became Thomas C. McRae & Co., run by John McRae’s youngest son. An interesting chronicle of one American emigrant family’s success in 19th century New York City. Sample Quotes: John McRae London, 19th July 1825, to his father, John McRae, who had just escaped to New York “My Dear father, Since you left us nothing extraordinary or unlooked for has occurred. We kept yr intentions entirely secret until within these few days past. I broke it soon after you left by degrees to Mrs. M. who of course was extremely anxious abt you. She was much better when satisfied you were out of harms way, but as she will write on part of this herself no doubt she’ll speak her feelings better than I can. I paid the man in possession 8 days ago after you reacd Livl in order to keep the thing from being blazed abrd too soon added to wh his attorney & the Sheriff’s Ofrs &c having been as I think very dilatory the sale was not advertised until las Wednesday the 13th Inst to take place on Friday the 15th & it accordingly did take place there were but 3 or 4 buyers there for the looms & they bid very low prices consequently Mr Ht bought21 out of the 26 the others sold for from 4 £ to 4 £ 10 per Loom except the French one which sold for 22 £ &all the others Mr Ht bought in the whole of the mills &c fetched but £ 7. 10the furniture that was left in the house & fixtures &c fetched very good prices the lease has not at present been put up they appear doubtful as to its fetching anything I’m sorry the thing has sold so very badly as it precludes the hope of getting any thing from Mr Ht I’m told the expenses attending seizure, sale &c will be at least 100 £ so that Mr Ht will gain but little. Mr Robts came up about a fortnight ago & wished much to see you I showed him yr letter from Ciren tr wherein you said you should go to Kenle &c he did not say much but upon the whole appeared friendly he wrote on Friday last to say you had noy yet reacd K & requests to know what had been done at Cr I wrote him by return acqg him with sale & told him I had recd a Letter from you dated 27 June which had been by some means delayed which stated you were on ship board & had resolved to quit the country rather than see him & others you were indebted to now that you were stripped of all you had in the world ( you were to have written me a Letter the last thing before sailing saying that you were going abroad that I might have shewn but suppose you forgot it) I have not since heard from him – I was surprised at hearing nothing at all from Billings & thinking it best he should know something of it before th
Martin, Morgan Lewis (1805-1887)
three letters, 11 pages, old folds, some light toning to text, some minor loss due to careless opening, else in very good, and quite legible condition. Morgan Lewis Martin, lawyer, judge, politician, and land speculator was born in Martinsburg, New York in 1805. He graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York in 1824, and studied law in Lowville, New York. In 1826, he moved to Detroit where he was admitted to the bar in 1827 and set up a law practice. The same year, he acted on the advice of his cousin James Duane Doty and moved to Green Bay, which was then apart of Michigan Territory. From 1831 to 1835, he served a member of the Michigan Territorial legislature. Martin served in the upper house of the Wisconsin territorial legislature from 1838 to 1844, and became its president from 1842 to 1843. He was territorial delegate in Congress from 1845 to 1847, and served as president of the second Wisconsin state constitutional convention. He was state assemblyman in 1855 and 1874, and state senator in 1858. During the Civil War, Martin served as paymaster in the Union army as a major. Martin toured Wisconsin's lead region as early as 1828. In 1829, he accompanied Doty to Prairie du Chien as district attorney pro tempore. He promoted various Fox-Wisconsin River improvement projects for almost fifty years, and spent most of his later life litigating for payments that he claimed were due him in connection with the project. Martin also helped develop early Milwaukee. In July, 1833, he visited the mouth of the Milwaukee River and sketched a "Map of Milwaukie," dated August, 1833. In October, he and Solomon Juneau entered an oral agreement regarding joint promotional activities in the area. Martin purchased a half interest in Juneau's pre-emptive claim on the east side of the Milwaukee River, and in 1834 bought a pre-emption right to the south of Juneau's claim. Together, Martin and Juneau platted the village of Milwaukee, graded streets and erected many of the first buildings. Martin was also prominent in many early territorial banking and railway activities. In 1866, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress. He served as U.S. Indian agent from 1866 to 1869, and county judge of Brown County from 1875 until his death. The correspondence begins with a letter written from Detroit in 1827, soon after being admitted to the Michigan bar, Marin invites his brother-in-law to come to Michigan Territory, which he believes will soon split to form a new territory, Martin considers relocating to what would become the new territory. This did occur nearly a decade later on July 3, 1836, and was called Wisconsin Territory: “Detroit May 6th, 1827. Dear Sir, Your favour post mark’d Apr. 21st has been duly rec’d. I was gratified with the recp’t of it in as much as that it was the first news I had met from your village and you well know that my attachment to that place was very great, having spent a large portion of my life there. It now appears to me one of the pleasantest residences in the world, and if I were to consult my own feelings exclusively prefer it to any other which I have visited. But after all, what is any situation unless you are surrounded by friends? Little, indeed, would be the satisfaction which you were compelled to enjoy alone, without the aid of friendly communication. Your society there is as good as you could wish. Your means of living are ample and nothing interposes to bar the enjoyment of every thing. But let me suggest to you that if you are dissatisfied and think of changing place there are good farms in Michigan, and the prospect of good fortune. There is better land than Lewis County can produce, but there is not health nor the wholesome laws and governments. A change is likely soon to take place here, in the separation of the Territory and the consequent creation of a new one. Should this go into effect, we may hope for bett
Howard, Julia Ridgely
Quarto, three closely written pages, postal markings, and docketing in German on integral address leaf, in very good, clean, and legible condition. First, to sum up the history of the “masters” of the Hampton Estate, 15 miles north of Baltimore, (now a National Monument): In colonial days, former ship’s Captain Charles Ridgely owned vast farms and plantations, cultivated crops, bred livestock and thoroughbred horses and operated mills and quarries. Profits from his ironworks (and that of his wife’s father) during the Revolutionary War, and from confiscated Loyalist properties, funded the building of a grand mansion on the family’s Hampton Estate – the largest private home in America in the first decade of Independence. When he died childless in 1790, his nephew Charles inherited Hampton, eventually owning more than 25,000 acres of land in northern Maryland – and over 300 slaves. He was also the three-term Governor of Maryland at the start of the 19th century. In 1829, his son John – apparently the addressee of this letter – inherited the Estate; but, by that time, it was reduced to a “courtesy entail” of 4500 acres, and the third “master” of Hampton had no interest in either financial empire-building or political prominence, confining his interests to breeding his horses. However, his second wife, Eliza Eichelberger Ridgely was “rich, beautiful, well-educated and an international traveler with sophisticated taste” as well as a horticulturist who made numerous improvements to the gardens and grounds of Hampton. Their daughter, Eliza, known as “Didy”, to whom this letter was written, was a “brilliant, well-educated and strong-minded woman who spoke several languages.” She married her first husband two years after returning from het long European sojourn, but he died of tuberculosis four years after their marriage. After more than a decade of widowhood, she married a Doctor during the Civil War, both of them being such “ardent Confederate sympathizers” that they spent much of their life living in Europe, while their son became Hampton’s fourth “master” and assumed responsibility for managing the Estate, (though he too often traveled in Europe, dying prematurely in Rome in 1872). The writer of this letter was apparently John Ridgely’s sister, married into the Howard family (one of her in-laws being the Mexican War swashbuckler cynically mentioned in the letter, with a hint that he was Catholic). She had been left behind while the family was in Europe for two years, this letter indicating that she kept a watchful eye on Hampton and the other family properties, and was a fount of gossip, both of the Ridgely family, and of what she calls “the fashionable world”. The letter is full of such chit-chat, in sentences closely run together without punctuation. Ridgely had rented his townhouse (not, of course Hampton, his country seat) for $1000 a year. Someone else had leased his “servants” (i.e. slaves) with whose “conduct” they were “much pleased.” One of their neighbors had sold his house for $12,000, considered “a good bargain”. There are no other mentions of slaves – the word does not even appear in the text – but there are many references to other Baltimore and New York grandees, including one wealthy acquaintance who had also left for Europe without the decency to ask if there was any small favor he might do for Aunt Julia when meeting the Ridgelys in London or Paris. The one significant comment in the letter concerns the writer’s view of the Mexican-American War, which has just ended in American victory [punctuation added]: “ . I often think how much pleasure you and Charley [Didi’s brother] would derive from our account from the seat of War, it is most exciting to read, every paper is filled with General Taylor’s great and Glorious Victories, particularly the last Buena Vista which everybody, loco [Locofoco Democrats] and wigs acknowledge to be decided by the greatest ever obtained and Genl Scott has been most successful
(Welch family letters
46 letters, 100 pages, some splits and tears along folds, some toning and damp staining, else in good, clean, and legible condition. The letters offer a view of one 19th century Massachusetts family and their lives in the state. The Welch’s must have been a family of some prominence and privilege, at least for a time. John N Welch ran the customs house in Boston, and two letters show him being relieved of his position, in 1814 and 1829. His sons went to sea and plied the waters of the world with varying degrees of success. Sample quotes: “Lynn July 28th 1816 [James Johnson to Lydia H. Welch, Boston] My dear Sister, My ride here was not very pleasant; it was very dusty & we were obliged to keep the windows shut, which produced very disagreeable sensations in your friend. I never spoke a word till we were within half mile of Lynn. No one interrupted the silence; except a gentleman whose frequent sighs proclaimed him over head & ears in love, to look at him was enough to make one sentimental, why he sighed so deep sometimes he actually made us start & when he found we observed him he made such horrid grimaces, that if there had been any one in stage that I had been the least acquainted with, I fear I should not have been able to conceal my laughter. I wish you had been with me to witness his agitation, which I believe he affected for oddity’s sake, why he would have made, “even thick lipp’d, musing Melancholy, to gather up her face into a smile, before she was aware” I was obliged to interrupt their cogitations by asking for a glass of water. The lovesick swain turned his dove like eyes on me, & looked as if he had rather I had been in the Red Sea, than broken the silence, my request was complied with in defiance of his looks & he condescended to ask, if I felt better. I dared not answer in the negative for I really believe he would have advised the stage man to leave me, he was quite handsome, but appeared like one of Lord Byron’s characters “With pleasure drugg’d, he almost longed for woe And even for change of scene, would seek the shades below” Do you think if one of my “mortal supporters” should fail me, or I should say it did, which is the same thing that a certain Gentleman whose name I would not mention on any account, but who appears to exert himself to relieve suffering humanity, & to lighten the afflictions of his kindred as much as possible by contributing books &c to amuse them & as I am a kind of a cousin I think I have a claim, would extend his charity to me, if there is a chance that he would pray let me know, he is a good fellow James Johnson” “New York, Nov. 15th, 1824 [James Johnson to Mr. & Mrs. John N. Welch] Dear Friends, The Stage called for me on Saturday morning at half past seven o’clock and I was backed a bout Town for nearly an hour, but I was tied as fast from the fear of being left, as the Horses in the harness - we however at length collected our passengers and proceeded on our journey – we arrived in Providence at 2 o’clock – and at 4 took passage in the Steam Boat for N. York – we had a very pleasant time down the sound, and arrived here at half past six o’clock on Sunday evening. Capt Mackey engaged my passage on Board the Packet ship Canada Cap Rogers and I expect to embark on board tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock for Liverpool I was in hope to have recd a line from your advising me of news from Boston and I still hope that pleasure by tomorrows mail which will arrive before we sail – you must write me in the course of a week or two, the Packet ships sail every week from here to Liverpool and a letter bag is always to be found at the reading room in Boston or left at our store Mr. Sewall will forward any letters to my address – I again hope to have this pleasure soon after I arrive in Liverpool ” I took lodgings at Bunkers in Broadway where I
Turk, James
folio, three pages of a bi-folium, docketed on last leaf “about a patent Lusk”, formerly folded, portion of last leaf missing at lower corner, not affecting any text, else good. “Mr. Steel, Being informed by Mr. Eubank that Mr. Lusk is setting up some pretentions for the Patent Right we work on for your Satisfaction, I have thought proper to give you in as concise a manner as possible the true standing of the claims held by Hearris and myself for which we have legal conveyances in our possession so far as their rights were lawful. In May 1825 we procured Sperry’s right but he would not be bound to warrant and defend the same, we were to give him a part of the proceeds should we make any thing at it. Mr. Lusk hearing of it wrote to me wishing to purchase or become an agent which letter I never answered. In 1826 July Thomas Key obtained a patent right and made it appear that he had fixed the first Mill on this plan ever known of some two to three years prior to Sperry’s patent and it was surmised that as Sperry has been to Georgia in 1824 and in the neighborhood of Key when he saw the plan he returned to Tennessee, made a Model went on to Washington City and obtained a patent right. Sperry at the same time let Hiram K. Turk have a county or countries in the state of Tennessee on the same term that we had agreed on in the course of the winter of 1825. H.K. Turk living in the state of Tennessee was informed that Thomas Key was the original inventor and that Sperry’s patent was fraudulently obtained, he immediately went to see Key and made a contract with Key for the U.S. of America with the exception of the State of Georgia which contract with all the necessary papers are now of record in the Patent Office had has been proved to be the only legal patent in the U.S. On H.K. Turk’s return he noticed Hearris and myself from working on the plan and showed us his authority we then became purchasers of T. Key’s right to the state of [Ga.?] in July 1826 and have worked ever since and intend continuing to do so as I will show you in the sequel of their narrative that we are correct. In 1827 Mr. Anderson from Kentucky obtained a Patent in the name of Jacob Ammon an inventor prior to Key we then informed Turk that we would not pay him in consequence of Ammons patent but at the same time purchased from Anderson paying him $500 in hand and our obligation for the balance Sperry gave up all pretentions. On the attainment by Keys patent Anderson and Turk immediately went to law and the decision was in favor of Keys patent. Anderson refunded to me the payment we had made and exonerated us from any obligation to him. The above are facts for which we have vouchers to show and admitting Mr. Lusk has a right from Sperry (which I very much doubt) his claim is abortive as Harriss and myself have a right from Sperry bearing date in 1825 from T. Kay 1825 and form Ammon 1827 which we are all the patent that have ever been issued form the Patent Office. You will confer a favor by letting Mr. Lusk see the within information and letting your neighbor and acquaintances know the same as I am informed that Mr. Lusk is leading the people astray when the Blind lead the blind they will all fall into the ditch ” The legal details of this patent battle over what Samuel Sperry described as his invention of a “Water Shute for Saw and Grist Mills” are too complex to sort out. What’s notable is that, in the ensuing legal fight, Hiram K. Turk, mentioned in the letter, who liked to be called “Colonel” because he had held that rank in the Militia, published a newspaper statement that Thomas Key, not Sperry, was the original inventor and that anyone who claimed he had profited by an illegal arrangement was Key was “an infernal damned liar”. Colonel Turk did not mince words. Oddly, James Turk, the letter writer, apparently did. He neglected to mention that Hiram was his son. James Turk died in 1835. Four years later, Hiram, with his three sons – one
Bliss, Zenas Randall (1833–1900)
quarto, five volumes, 656 pages, typescript, and typescript carbons, with occasional manuscript corrections and emendations, bound in various boards, with handmade cloth spines, two volumes signed by Bliss, bindings with wear and rubbing, text in very good clean and legible condition. Autobiography containing valuable primary source accounts of frontier life in Texas, Texas at the outbreak of the Civil War, Bliss’s extensive Civil War service, and of his later experiences as commander of the Department of Texas during the Indian War period. Typescript Autobiography as follows: Volume 1 “Personal Recollections of Frontier Life in Texas from 1854 to 1858 by Z. R. Bliss, U.S.A.” 238 typescript carbon pages, with some ink corrections. Volume 2 1856-1861 163 typescript carbon pages, covers Bliss’s experiences up to the beginning of the Civil War in Texas. Volume 3, part 1, April 1861 to August 1862 120 typescript pages, signed on front free endpaper “Z. R. Bliss His Book”. Volume 3, part 2, 1862 -1867 126 typescript pages, (paginated 12-247). Volume 3, part 3, 1866-1876 117 typescript pages, signed “Z. R. Bliss Col 24 Us Inf Fort Bayard New Mexico June 1, 1894” on inside of front board. Bliss evidently wrote his autobiography over a period of years for the benefit of his friends and family. It was never published in his lifetime, (and was only recently published in 2008 by the Texas State Historical Association). Bliss evidently made multiple typescript copies of his work for distribution to his family and friends, which accounts for the sets found in the following institutions: Yale, and another set at University of Texas Austin, amongst Bliss’s papers. The present set appears to be the third such set to appear. Zenas Randall Bliss, United States army officer, was born in Rhode Island and was appointed from his native state to the United States Military Academy at West Point on July 1, 1850. He graduated forty-first in his class and was assigned to duty as a brevet second lieutenant in the First Infantry on July 1, 1854. He was posted to Texas and served at Fort Duncan until 1855, when he was promoted to second lieutenant and transferred to an Eighth Infantry assignment at Fort Davis. In 1858 he served briefly at Camp Hudson and forts Inge and Mason and in 1859 at forts Mason and Clark. Back at Camp Hudson he was promoted to first lieutenant in 1860 and to captain in 1861. Secession found Bliss at Fort Quitman. After Gen. David E. Twiggs surrendered the federal forts in Texas, Bliss attempted to march his garrison to the Texas Gulf Coast but was intercepted by Confederate troops under Gen. Earl Van Dorn just west of San Antonio and held prisoner until April 5, 1862. In May 1862 he was commissioned as colonel of the Tenth Rhode Island Infantry, and in August he was transferred to the Seventh Rhode Island Infantry. Bliss was brevetted to major in the regular army in 1862 for "gallant and meritorious service" at the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and to lieutenant colonel in 1864 for his service at the battle of the Wilderness. At the battle of Fredericksburg Bliss led his regiment, which had never before been under fire, to within a few yards of the Confederate lines before being repulsed, thereby winning the Medal of Honor. With the end of the Civil War he was mustered out of volunteer service on June 9, 1865. In the postbellum army Bliss was assigned as major of the Thirty-ninth Infantry on August 6, 1867, and transferred to the all-black Twenty-fifth United States Infantry on March 15, 1869. Subsequently appointed commander of the Department of Texas, Bliss made his headquarters at San Antonio and served at forts Bliss, Clark, Davis, and Duncan between 1871 and 1879. He was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Nineteenth Infantry in 1879 and promoted to colonel of the Twenty-fourth Infantr
Washington, Booker T. (1856-1915)
Quarto, two letters, two pages, on Tuskegee letterhead, with their original mailing envelopes, formerly folded, 1906 letter a bit wrinkled, some staining to edges, adhesive residue, as the letters were formerly housed in an album, else in good condition. Henry Pleasants Jr. (1884-1963) was the president of the Civics Club at Haverford College when, as a student, he invited Booker T. Washington to visit and speak at Haverford in 1905. Washington thanks Pleasant for inviting him to speak and in the 1906 letter he thanks Pleasant for the financial contribution to Tuskegee made by Pleasant and the Haverford Civics Club.
Pershing, John J. (1860-1948) American World War 1 General
Quarto, one page, some light toning, left hand corners creased, written on Pershing’s Washington letterhead. Pershing regretfully declines the invitation to be present at the annual banquet of the Pennsylvania Commandery. Pershing, John Joseph (1860-1948) American army commander, born in Linn County, Missouri; graduated U.S.M.A., West Point (1886). On frontier duty to 1898; served in Cuba (1898) and the Philippines (1899-1903). U.S. military attache, Tokyo (1905-06), and with Kuroki’s army in Manchuria (1905); brigadier general, U.S. Army (1906); in command of Department of Mindanao; suppressed Moro uprising (1913); commanded expeditionary force sent into Mexico in pursuit of Francisco Villa (1916). Promoted major general (1916); commander in chief, American Expeditionary Force (1917-1919); promoted general (1917); chief of staff U.S. Army (1921-24); retired from active service. Author of My Experiences in the World War (1931; awarded Pulitzer history prize, 1932).
