slavery
“I WENT TO JEFFERSON DAVIS, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMM[ISSION] AND ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD DO ME THE PERSONAL FAVOR TO REPORT THE BILL. HE DID SO ON THE 23RD OF FEB. ON THE 26TH AT MY REQUEST HE MARRIED IT AS AN AMENDMENT UPON THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL…”
WILSON, HENRY. (1812-1875). 18th Vice President of the United States. Good Autograph Letter Signed, “Henry Wilson”, as Senator from Massachusetts. Four full pages, quarto. Natick [Massachusetts]. June 3, 1869.
“THE ELECTIONS IN THE STATES HAVE GONE AS WAS FEARED,…I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE GOOD WHICH WE USUALLY STRIVE TO FIND IN WHATEVER IS IRREVOCABLE” — “IT IS OFTEN EASIER TO PRONOUNCE A THING WRONG IN THE BEGINNING THAN TO SHOW THAT ITS REMOVAL WOULD BE FOR THE PERMANENT GOOD.”
DAVIS, JEFFERSON. (1808-89). First and only president of the Confederate States of America (1861-1865). Revealing Partial Autograph Letter Signed, “J.D.” One full page, octavo. No place, no date. Fine condition.
1850 “THE SLAVERY QUESTION ABSORBS EVERYTHING STILL”
JOHNSON, ANDREW. (1808-75). Seventeenth President of the United States (1865-9). Good and rather scarce, Autograph Letter Signed, “Andrew Johnson” written during the period of extreme political debate in the United States. 1 1/2 pages, quarto. “House of Rep[resentative]s”, May 29, 1850.
“I…KNOW A GOOD DEAL ABOUT THE NEGROES…AND MY OBSERVATION SATISFIES ME THAT, LIKE OTHER MEN, THE NEGROES ARE AS THEY ARE TREATED. … [SOUTHERN PLANTERS] ARE AMAZED AT THE POLITICAL CAPACITY AND THE MORAL GREATNESS EVINCED BY PEOPLE WHOM THEY HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO CONSIDER LESS THAN HUMAN.”
MARTINEAU, HARRIET. (1802-1876). English essayist, novelist, journalist, and economic and historical writer who was prominent among English intellectuals of the 19th Century; one of the first female writers to support herself by her own talent; considered the first female sociologist; observed a link between slavery and the oppression of women’s rights; considered one of the first feminists. Remarkable Autograph Letter Signed, “H. Martineau”. Eight full pages, small octavo. Ambleside, January 5, 1866.
ANDREW JOHNSON IMPEACHMENT TRIAL TICKET — WITH THE ORGINAL STUB STILL ATTACHED
JOHNSON, ANDREW. (1808-1875). Seventeenth President of the United States; Governor of Tennessee; first president to face an impeachment trial. A light rose color/purple imprinted Impeachment trial ticket for May 18, 1868, with the original stub still attached.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS ~~ REGRETS HE CAN NOT HELP WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF THE US COUNSUL TO BORDEAUX
ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY. (1767-1848). Sixth President of the United States(1825-9); Secretary of State; diplomat and lawyer. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “John Quincy Adams”, while serving as Minister to Prussia, in his father’s [John Adams’] administration. One fairly full page, quarto. Berlin, May 31, 1800.
A HIGHLY IMPORTANT HENRY MILLER LETTER ~~ STAGGERLINGLY FULL OF MAJOR BIBLIO AND BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS WITH BITING AND REVEALING COMMENTARY FROM HIS TRAVELS IN FRANCE IN 1928, WITH HIS WIFE, JUNE.
THIS PERIOD WAS THE BASIS FOR HIS NOVEL: TROPIC OF CANCER
MILLER, HENRY. (1891-1980). American novelist; author whose Bohemian lifestyle and autobiographical novels broke existing literary forms. Remarkable and highly important Autograph Letter Signed, “H.V.M.”, on imprinted Hotel-Restaurant de Grenoble et de Savoie stationery. Eight full pages, quarto. Aix-en-Provence, October 6, 192[8].