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Sale 61
Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction
| Statesmen and Political Leaders |
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Realized |
Lot 391 |
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Chase, Salmon P (1808-1873) As Secretary of the Treasury under Lincoln, he directed the nation's finances during the Civil War and originated the national banking system. His disagreements with the administration led him to proffer his resignation several times before Lindoln finally accepted it in 1864. Lincoln later appointed him as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; his portrait is on the $10,000 bill. Autograph Letter Signed "S.P. Chase," one page, 7¾ x 6¼ in., Washington, Jan. 6, 1853. To an unidentified correspondent, with excellent political content. Scattered foxing; one tape repair is visible at top edge. Matted with an engraving of Chase by Ritchie and framed to an overall size of 16½ x 21 in.; frame has a few scratches and dings.
In part: "…What hinders the liberal Whigs from making common cause with the Independent Democrats? Why not form one party with the Independent Democracy vs Baltimore Democracy. True, some fogy Whigs will join the Baltimore Democrats. Let them go. Their places will be more than made good by slavery-hating Democrats….I want a real Democracy - but it must be a Democracy & bear the name, or be beaten. The people will prefer the name of Democracy without the substance - to the substance even without the name. Thanks for publishing my letter to Edgerton. He was too strong meat I see for the Republicans…."
Chase was active in the Free Soil movement of 1848, helping to draft the platform which declared "no more slave states and no more slave territory" and was was elected to the U.S. Senate on the Free Soil party ticket. He opposed the Compromise of 1850 and introduced an amendment to Douglas's Kansas-Nebraska bill affirming the right of the people of a territory to prohibit slavery if they wished; it was rejected. Sidney Edgerton, to whom Chase refers in this letter, was a delegate to the 1848 convention that formed the Free Soil party.
Chase's suggestion that the liberal Whigs make common cause with the Independent Democrats presages the establishment of the Republican party, which would combine Northern Whigs, Free Soilers, members of the Know-Nothing movement, and Northern Democrats who deserted the party over the slavery issue. In January 1854, Chase co-authored with Ohio congressman Joshua Giddings "The Appeal of the Independent Democrats in Congress to the People of the United States," which was published in the New York Times and is often regarded as the earliest draft of the Republican party creed.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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| Realized
$1,234 |
Lot 392 |
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Frémont, John C (1813-1890) American military officer, explorer; military governor of California, U.S. Senator, first presidential candidate of the Republican Party (1856), and territorial governor of Arizona. Scarce Series "A" Bond to The Memphis, El Paso and Pacific Railroad Signed "J. Frémont" on the verso, 5 x 7¾ in., 1868. Acknowledging receipt of one thousand dollars to Frémont, "payable on the surrender hereof, by the transfer of Fifty Acres of Agricultural Land…upon any of the Eight Million Acres donated by the State of Texas to the Company…." Frémont lost most of his money when the Memphis and El Paso Railroad went bankrupt. He had become the president of the company with the hopes of building a railroad line to San Diego.
Estimated Value $500 - 700.
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| Realized
$300 |
Lot 393 |
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Law, Thomas. Autograph Letter Signed "T. Law," 2pp., folded sheet with integral address leaf.Washington, July 18, 1804. Address leaf torn from opening with old folds. To George Logan with reference and critique of Hamilton-Burr duel, attendance at an Indian Dance attended by President Jefferson, correspondence to James Madison about civilizing Indians, and other political activities. Signed at the bottom of the second page.
Thomas Law, an Englishman who was one of Washington D.C.’s first investors, was married to Elizabeth Parke Custis, granddaughter of Martha Washington. George Logan was an American physician and U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania. Law begins his letter mentioning that he received one from Logan via noted naturalist C.S. Rafinesque, who "arrived just in time to accompany me to an Indian dance." On July 11, the first delegation of Osage Indians arrived in Washington, having been sent there from St. Louis by Meriwether Lewis. Law continues "The President [Thomas Jefferson] was there & a very great Crowd. I have been writing to Mr. Maddison a talk for the President to give the Indians recommending agriculture & a division of their lands to cultivators, this is the first step to civilization. Whilst they are only hunters, they must be constantly at war, & will in time be extirpated." Law was indeed qualified for such advice, having been a noted administrator for the East India Company.
The letter continues "How happy is this Country without Colonies, large armies &c. Bonaparte would make a bad President here." Next Law addresses the Hamilton-Burr duel, which had taken place the week prior. "Hamiltons untimely fate employs all tongues. Burr is lost for ever. Let us hope that this event will render dueling disgraceful. Revenge or Cowardice bring men to the feild - for common sense & religion are against the practise…" The letter concludes with a lengthy commentary on the ill effects of war, before turning to the election of 1804 which pitted Jefferson against Charles C. Pinckney of South Carolina: "…Genl Washington & Jefferson have not encreased offices or conferred appts upon their state favorites--Adams…may be regretted by Massachusets - of what consequence is it to any State whence the President is elected. South Carolina has done wrong and should her slaves create an insurrection, very few States would willingly risque their lives & spend their fortunes to suppress it." The letter includes a postscript mentioning John Bartram, with Law asking Logan to "pray desire him to send any seeds of American plants & flowers to Lady Rumbold Southampton Harts…" Excellent content.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
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| Unsold |
Lot 394 |
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[New York Governors: Harriman, Lehman, and Rockefeller]. Approximately 250 Documents Signed as Governor of New York, engraved with New York state seal, and "State of New York Executive Chamber." Most of the documents are nominations and messages to the legislature. Condition is mostly fine, with a few very good. Herbert H. Lehman (1878-1963), Governor from 1932-1942. Over 200 partly-printed Documents Signed. Averell Harriman (1891-1986), Governor of New York from 1955-1959. Twenty-three partly-printed Documents Signed. Nelson A. Rockefeller (1958-1973), Governor from 1958-1973.
Estimated Value $500 - 750.
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| Realized
$294 |
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