Lot 273
Member of Washington's Family Opposes 14th Amendment. Littleton Quinter Washington (1825-1902) Member of a branch of the Washigton family of Virginia, newspaper correspondent and writer on political affairs in Washington, D.C. During the Civil War, he was chief clerk of the Department of State for the Confederacy; known as Col. Washington. Autograph Letter Signed ("L.Q. Washington"), 10 pp, 8¼ x 5¼ in., Washington, D.C. July 18, 1869. To newspaper editor and Pennsylvania Representative R.J. Haldeman, stating his opposition to the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868. He is incensed that Confederate officials are disqualified from office and that everyone appointed or elected to an office must take an oath that they have "never borne arms against the United States," that they "have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereof," and that they "have neither sought nor accepted nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office whatever, under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the United States…." He writes, "…The negroes can all take the oath though they all gave 'countenance'…Now as to the Whites of the 11 states which comprised the Confederacy?…. When Mr. Lincoln issued his proclamation for 75,000 to invade the South all differences of opinion in the South vanished….The number of persons reached by this 14th Amendment is (I estimate)…in all 138,000 besides about 20,000 more in Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia & Maryland…. this 14th Amendment is applicable not only to Federal but to all State officers & is so made as to comprehend all who have ever held any public employment however small…The result is to deny us the services of all the experienced men…." Light crease with minor foxing on first page and minor edge wear else very good to fine. Excellent content.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
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