Autographs

A month after he provided critical help at the Battle of Monmouth, Philemon Dickinson contends with petty local politics

Philemon DICKINSON (1739-1809) American attorney and politician, served as U.S. Senator from New Jersey from 1790 to 1793, and was a major general in command of the New Jersey Militia during the American Revolutionary War. Born in Maryland and raised in Delaware, he represented Delaware at the Continental Congress in 1782 and 1783. In 1784, he served on the commission that selected Washington D.C. as the site of the nation’s capital. He was the younger brother of John Dickinson (1732-1808), a founding father heavily involved in the drafting of the Constitution.

A good content, war-date Autograph Letter Signed “Philemon Dickinson“, 1 page, 285 x 215 mm. (11 1/4 x 8 1/2 in.), Trenton [New Jersey], 29 July 1778, to William C. Houston & James Mott, Jr. of Princeton concerning his supposed handling of public monies, in full: ““I this moment received your favor of the 25th instant. I perfectly remember, the Ordinance of the Convention which you mention, but I absolutely refused having the money paid into my hands, as I never had any Public accounts in my life. I cannot possibly recollect, to which amounts I gave Orders, but those Orders, which lay before you Gentlemen, specify the Sums, & for what purpose— I never recd. a single Shilling of this money, & left the accounts solely to the Treasurer to settle, which must appear by their Books & Vouchers. I have no Public account, of any kind to settle, having intentionally avoided it. My information that is in my Power to give you, respecting the Application to the monies you mention, shall be given with the greatest Pleasures…” He adds in a postscript: “I shall remain here 4, or 5 days longer.”

Less than a month before, George Washington had offered his congratulations to Dickinson for his critical in obtaining a strategic victory at the Battle of Monmouth, observing, “General Dickinson, and the Militia of this State, are also thanked for their nobleness in opposing the enemy in their march from Philadelphia, nd for the aid which they have given in harassing and impeding their motions, so as to allow the conditional troops to come up with them.”*

Usual folds with separation at horizontal centerfold repaired with tape, light toning and foxing, soiling, overall fine very good to fine condition.

(EXA 6037) $1,200

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^* George Washington, General Orders, June 29, 1778, Fitzpatrick, ed, The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799

John JAY 1821 Autograph Letter Signed to his son Peter Augustus Jay

John JAY (1745-1829) Autograph Letter Signed, “John Jay“, 1 page, 237 x 197 mm. (9 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.), Bedford, [N.Y.], 29 January 1821 to his son, Peter Augustus Jay (1776-1843) concerning family news, financial matters, and a large fire in New York City.

“I have rec[eive]d your Letter of the 25 Inst – Both Mama and myself are once again better – She and your Brother set out this morning to visit with Friends at rye. I communicated to her your kind Invitation, and she rec[eive]d it with Expressions of Gratitude and Affection. Little Maria’s Complaints have abated, but she is still unwell. Tidings of the Fire at N York son reached us- many must have suffered- I hope your attending it in such severe cold weather has not injured your Health – We are glad that John and Helen were better– I think you did well to keep them at Home for the Present- In the night between the 24th & 25th Inst. The Mercury fell to 14 below Zero.— On inspecting the Bond of $1500 from Mr. Jam[e]s Morris, you will find that it is dated the 28 Au[us]t. 1817- on the 15th Feb[ruar]y he paid you $105 on Acc[oun]t of Interest so that two Years Interest viz $210 is due and unpaid. If he should find it inconvenient to pay it, I am willing to accept is Bond for it as Payment for that Interest – On the 9 May last, there was a Year[‘]s Interest viz $315 due from Mr. D Peyster – it is time that it should be paid – The intended assignment of DeLavan’s mortgage, to Mr Hunt, will require care- perhaps he may expect to secure by it more than was due from De Lavan to me. I am glad tat you are preparing it.— It does not appear from your acc[oun]t that Doct[o]r Watts has as yet been paid— My Love to Mary and the children…”

According to one newspaper account, at 3 A.M. on the morning of Wednesday, 24 January 1821, a fire erupted in “an old wooden building in Front-st, between Fulton-st & Crane-wharf, on the eastside, occupied by a Mrs. Smith. The wind blew very fresh at the time, from the westward, and the fire soon spread in various directions, and in the course of two hours, a vast property in buildings and goods, was consumed.” Over twenty-five buildings were destroyed in the early morning blaze, including grocers, a liquor store, a “flour store,” and in particular the wine store of “Mr. T. Bloodgood, is said to be the greatest-sufferer,” losing $70-80,000 in stock.”*

Expected folds, extreme light toning to bottom left corner, else fine.

(EXA 5634) $1,750
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^* National Advocate, New York, 25 Jan. 1821, 2.

A rare and unusual Soviet imprint on Karl Marx’s 1864 petition to Abraham Lincoln

Nationalization of the Land — Letter to President Lincoln, unpaginated, ([Moscow?], c. 1930), 5 leaves, 251 x 170 mm. (9 7/8 x 6 13/16 in.), the first two leaves bearing reproductions, the first: 300 x 194mm. (11 3/4 x 7 5/8) folded into quarters, the second: 170 x 112 mm. (16 13/16 x 4 1/4) folded into two leaves. All housed in unstitched titled paper wraps, first leaf separate and balance bound together though independent of the outer wrap.

A highly unusual imprint offering a reproduction of Karl Marx’s petition to Abraham Lincoln, on behalf of the International Working Men’s Party, composed in November 1864 and presented to Charles Francis Adams, the American Ambassador to the Court of St. James in January 1865. The balance of the work concerns Marx’s 3 December 1869 memorandum to English philosopher Robert Applegarth advocating his reasons for the abolition of private property. The volume includes a four page color reproduction of Marx’s draft memorandum to Applegarth as well as a five page printed transcript of the same.

The origin of this rare publication is murky. We have been able to source only two extant copies of this imprint one at the University of Kansas and the other at the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin (OCLC 56194628). The copy owned by Kansas is cataloged as possibly printed in the United States. However, the example in Berlin is cataloged suggesting a Soviet origin c. 1930. (The presence of stamps from the Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute in Moscow, visible in the reproduction of Marx’s draft letter to Applegarth is likely what informed this supposition).

Corner creases and small tear to rear cover, light soiling to front cover, tear at bottom os spine neatly repaired, other light marginal wear, light toning, and some mild creases.

(EXA 5707) $1,200

Rumors of intrigue by St. Clair after he evacuated Ticonderoga

(Arthur St. CLAIR) Helen BAYARD Autograph Letter Signed, “Helen Bayard“, 1 page, 285 x 192 mm. (11 1/4 x 7 1/2 in.) Boston, 18 July 1777, to her cousin, “Quincy” concerning a variety of family news, including the receipt of a letter from her cousin, General Arthur St. Clair, which she hoped would dispel rumors that he had defected to the British after he evacuated Fort Ticonderoga on July 5, 1777.

Bayard writes, in full [with period spellings retained with minimal comment]: “This By the hand of your Daughter I hope will come safe to hand, and believe me I never was more supprised than when I first saw her. I must tell you with out flat[t]ery I think She is Vastly improved since she Left Boston She has Dined with me but once But Believe me it was not my fa[u]lt I wo[‘]d have Bin Glad to have had more of her Companey Betsey is allmost Affronted with her we had Letter from St Clair to Day so he is not gone to the Enemey As I heared the truth will come out in time Respecting Ticonderoga Beong Left and than we shall se whear the falt Lays But hang pollitics I Long to see you had Betsey not have him with me at present I would have come Mr Bayard Is gone to Carry a vessel to the Eastward there were allways a sumthing How Ever he has promest to Bring me whan he Returns.. I shall Go to Ne[w]bury[?] next week to Carrey Betsey to Mr Druatt to B[o]ard with a Daughter of Mr Baurus, in time she went sumwhear and we have no schools in town I Long to come and stay a week with you I Don’t thing I sho[‘]d be home sick But I fear I shall not have a trial Do Let me hear from you that is next to seeing you I have Companey and so must conclude with my Love to Mr Quncy who I Long to see and am Dear Quincey Your Affectionate Coz—” In a pair of postscripts, she adds, “Unclee Dennie I am told is A Dieing” and “Give Eunice A scolding for me I told her I wood wright you“.

When threatened with encirclement by Burgoyne’s forces, St. Clair wisely abandoned his indefensible position at Fort Ticonderoga, saving a large body of troops for future engagements that would ultimately result in a spectacular victory at Saratoga. For a lack of space in the boats used in the Fort’s evacuation, St. Clair was compelled to abandon several large pieces of cannon and a good deal of other supplies, leading to suspicion that the Scottish-born former British officer had defected to the enemy. Although his appearance at Fort Edward would seem to dispel this rumor, both he and General Philip Schuyler, in command of the Northern Department, were the subject of rumors that they had accepted bribes from the British in exchange for the retreat.

Congress greeted news of Ticonderoga’s fall with anger and dismay, ordering St. Clair be removed from command. John Adams and his allies moved to remove Schuyler as well, replacing him with New Englander Horatio Gates. St. Clair demanded a court-martial, which completely exonerated him of wrongdoing — but the political damage had been done: Ticonderoga would prove to be his final field command of the war.

Helen Bayard was the sister of St. Clair’s wife, Phoebe Bayard, and daughter of Mary Bowdoin Bayard, the sister of the prominent James Bowdoin (1726-1790), who would later serve as the second governor of an independent Massachusetts. St. Clair wed Phoebe in 1760, only three years after his arrival in North America as a British officer serving at the siege of Louisbourg and the capture Quebec under General Wolfe. In the early 1760s, St. Clair resigned his commission and the couple migrated to western Pennsylvania. There, St. Clair established himself as a prominent land owner and pubic official.

Edge wear with chipping to right margin affecting content, even toning, creasing, light soiling, usual folds, overall very good condition.

(EXA 5893) $1,650

USS Yorktown arrives in Monterey one month after the US mistakenly seized the port from Mexico

(California) Letter Signed “John S. Nicholas” as Commander of the USS Yorktown, 1 page, 252 x 203 mm. (10 x 8 in.), Monterey, 20 November 1842, to Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones* commanding the Pacific Squadron requesting a new ship’s Master, in full: “As Mr. Gwaltney, Sailing Master has been detached from this Ship, I most respectfully request that some Officer may be ordered in his place.”

On 20 October 1842, one month before this letter was penned, Commodore Jones, commanding a fleet of his flagship USS United States, and two sloops-of-war: the USS Dale and Cyane, responded to false reports that war had broken out with Mexico by seizing the port of Monterey for a single day. Monterey was returned to the Mexican government the following day when it came to light that war had not been declared. Commodore Jones then headed for Hawaii and helped to restore the Kingdom of Hawaii after it was seized by Great Britain. He was likely in Hawaii when he received this letter.

Toning, ink feathering, creasing, soiling,minor edge wear, usual folds, overall very good condition.

(EXA 5724) $375
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^* (1790-1858) a decorated naval officer distinguished for bravery in the Battle of Lake Borgne (Louisiana) during the War of 1812, but also noted for his blunder of one-day seizure the port of Monterey in 1842 while under the mistaken impression that the Mexican-American War had begun. When he arrived in While patrolling Hawaii in August 1843, he picked up a well-traveled deserter of the whaler Achusnet, Herman Melville (1819-1891), for a three-year tour. The Commodores in the Melvile novels Moby-Dick and White-Jacket are both modeled after Thomas ap Catesby Jones.

Joseph B. Hull signs 1847 order 16 days before 1st rescue attempt of Donner party

(California) Joseph B. HULL (1803-1890) career naval officer who entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in 1813, with consequent promotions to lieutenant in 1825, Commander in 1841, Captain in 1855, and Commodore in 1862, shortly after his retirement.

Autograph Note Signed “JB Hull“, 1 page, 248 x 200 mm. (9 3/4 x 7 7/8 in.), San Francisco, 1 February 1847, to Pass[ed] Mid[dhipman] John C. Febiger (d. 1898), in full: “You will be relieved by Pass Mid M Lanahan at the Block House, of his post, and you are at liberty at your request to rejoin the U.S. Ship ‘Dale’ now at the Port of Monterey.”

In 1847, Hull was the highest ranking naval officer in San Francisco, and as such he helped to organize the first rescue attempt of the Donner party on 17 February 1847, just 16 days after he issued this order.

The recipient, John C. Febiger, entered the Navy as a Midshipman, 4 September, 1838 and subsequently a passed midshipman, 1844; master, 1852; lieutenant 1853; commander, 1862; captain, 1868; commodore, 1874; and finally Rear Admiral, 1882—which was also the year of his retirement.

Light toning, slight soiling, usual folds, light ink smean to the “S” in “San Francisco“, overall fine condition.

(EXA 5717) $450

Roger Jones ALS 1843 re: his brother Comm. Jones’ accidental invasion of Mexico

Following his brother’s ‘accidental’ capture of Monterey, Alta California in 1842, Roger ap Catesby Jones, calls his critics “lyers” and regrets “that he should have pounced upon Terra firma…a Commander had better be an inch forward of the mark, than a hair breadth behind it…”

(Alta California) Roger ap Catesby JONES (1789-1852) Fine content Autograph Letter Signed “R. Jones” as Adjutant General, 2pp., 243 x 200 mm. (9 5/8 x 8 in.), Washington, 26 July 1843, franked on the integral address leaf, “R. Jones Ajt Genl” and addressed in his hand on the integral address leaf to ” Commodore J.B. Nicholson commanding the Naval Station at Charlesto[w]n, Massachusetts-“, and stamped ‘FREE‘ in red, awaiting word from the Mexican government regarding the 1842 accidental invasion of Mexico and one-day capture of Monterey orchestrated by his brother, Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones, in full: “Hope my letters & packages may arrive in time for the Erie Store Ship— Pray try on get them on board. Nothing has yet been heard from the Pacific, nor from the Mexican Government— Since the California Affair at Monterey— and of course, the Executive have nothing to do in the mean time concerning the matter—. As for the Commodore’s recall, so falsely stated by the lying letter written— the President has had no such thought— This I know: If the Mexican Government make a fuss about it, it is thought, the affair may be easily adjust[e]d without any difficulty—. There are some perhaps, who would not be sorry, if the Commodore should make a Short cruise of it—. The authorities have, & most of the members of Congress, are gratified to hear that my Brother resolved to keep the Seas, with a plan of a twelve months’ cruise — tho’ we regret— (all I see, do not regret however) that he should have pounced upon Terra firma. Those Catier[?] Say— a Commander had better be an inch forward of the mark, than a hair breadth behind it—. &c. &c. &c.”

Jones’ brother, Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones (1790-1858) was a decorated but controversial U.S. naval officer best known for his capture of Monterey from Mexico for a day before learning that he was acting on a false report of a war between the United States and Mexico. Commodore Jones also served as the model for Herman Melville’s captain in Moby Dick. Of Roger Jones’ thirteen children, many of his sons were career military officers in both the Union and Confederate forces: Catesby ap Roger Jones (1821-1877) served in the U.S. Navy from 1836 to 1861 attaining the rank of Lieutenant, and in the Confederate States Navy from 1861 to 1865, in command of the CSS Virginia when it engaged the USS Monitor at the Battle of Hampton Roads; Charles Lucien Jones served in the Confederate States Navy aboard the ironclad CSS Tennessee; Roger Jones (1831-1889) was Inspector General of the U.S. Army from 1888 to 1889.

The author, Roger ap Catesby Jones began his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1809 to 1812 attaining the rank of First Lieutenant, and in the U.S. Army from 1812 to 1852 attaining the rank of Brevet major General. He saw action during the War of 1812 in the Battles of Lundy’s Lane, Chippewa and Fort Erie. Jones also holds the distinction of the longest-serving Adjutant General of the U.S. Army from 1825 to 1852.

Commodore John B. NICHOLSON (1783-1846) accompanied Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry on the 1819 Venezuela Expedition, after with Perry died from yellow fever. He commanded the USS United States from 1832 to 1834 as part of Commodore Patterson’s Mediterranean Squadron, and commanded the Brazil Squadron aboard the flagship USS Independence from 1837 to 1839. In 1840, he was accused by a large group of sailors formerly under his command of having lied to them regarding their duration of service to procure the men for the Brazil Squadron. He served on the Board of Navy Commissioners from 1840 to 1841.

Minor edge wear, light marginal toning, usual folds, paper loss to verso from wax seal not affecting content, overall fine condition.

(EXA 5736) SOLD

An appeal to a delegate to the 1839 Whig National Convention to nominate Henry Clay

“If we are to be beaten let us meet it like men… Should Henry Clay be nominated— I will exclaim ‘Amen. Amen. to that right or wrong Amen.’“

(Henry CLAY) Fine content Autograph Letter Signed “John A. Trumbull“, 1 page, 252 x 198 mm. (10 x 7 3/4 in.), 28 November [18]39, Stonington, to William Whiting Boardman (1794-1871), Connecticut politician who served as a delegate to the 1839 Whig National Convention that nominated William Henry Harrison as their nominee for President in the election of 1840.

Trumbull voices his desire to see the Whig party nominate Henry Clay as a candidate for President, and N.P. Tallmadge for Vice President, at the National Whig Convention, taking place just a few days later in early December 1839.

The letter reads in full: “This will be handed you my friend Cpt. H. Phelps Esq. permit me to introduce him for further acquaintance— he contemplates accompanying you to Harrisburg. I hope in a few days to hear of the result of your Convention— and have very little doubt that I shall hear of the unanimous nomination of Henry Clay & N.P. Tal[l]ma[d]ge. I dislike much to hear people taulk [sic] of ‘Expediency. [Winfield] Scott & Co. of one thing I am fully satisfied. If the Whigs of the U. States cannot elect Henry Clay— thay [sic] cannot elect any other candidate. If we are to be beaten let us meet it like men— It will afford me more satisfaction to know that I have tryd [sic] to elect him & him at last— than to succeed with any other Candidate— Should Henry Clay be nominated— I will exclaim ‘Amen. Amen. to that right or wrong Amen.’”

Henry Clay lost the Whig nomination at the 1839 convention to William Henry Harrison. Senator Nathaniel Pitcher Tallmadge (1794-1864) was a Senator from New York (1833-1839, 1840-1844), but did not receive any votes at the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania convention.

Usual folds, remnants and wear to left margin affecting content as shown, light creasing, overall fine condition.

(EXA 5701) $450

A correspondence with the Reverend Thomas De Witt Talmage, 1881 to 1892

Thomas De Witt TALMAGE (1832-1902)* An archive of 31 letters and notes consisting of 20 Autograph Letters Signed, 5 Autograph Notes Signed, 2 Autograph Notes, and 1 Letter Signed, 46 pp., ranging in size from 53 x 92 mm. (2 x 3 5/8 in.) through 202 x 251 mm. (8 x 9 7/8 in.), various places, but largely Brooklyn, N.Y., 22 February 1881 – 4 April 1892 (6 pieces undated), most accomplished in ink (but several in pencil) written primarily to Ladies’ Home Journal editor Edward W. Bok concerning publishing matters. Offered together with two cabinet card photographs of Talmage, both signed and inscribed to Bok, as well as a printed circular letter concerning the misattribution of an article to Talmage, 28 May 1888.

Bok was only eighteen when he began corresponding with Talmage, a friend of his father, the recently deceased Jan Hiddle Bok. Bok first made an impression on the preacher with his sizable autograph collection, and his idea that handwriting could reveal underlying personality traits. Talmage disagreed, writing in June 1883, “I am more persuaded than ever before that it will be difficult to reduce Chirography to a science. Bold hand-writing by timid men, & reckless penmanship by those distinguished for caution & prudence. In looking through your autographs I come to the conclusion that the style of hand-writing is no index of character.” Apparently interested to help a recently fatherless aspiring journalist make his way in the world, Talmage helped Bok from time to time with introductions to magazine editors. When Bok began editing the Brooklyn Magazine in 1884, Talmage offered his help by allowing the young editor to republish some of his selected writings. As their relationship matured, problems arose on occasion. In 1887, Talmage penned a strongly worded letter asking Bok to correct the published impression (with news clipping attached) that his sermons had been discontinued in the Brooklyn Magazine due to lack of interest. Bok issued a public correction in the press (as also noted in a new clipping also attached).

Bok’s occasional editorial errors (one prompted a lengthy printed circular, included in this collection) did not appear to alter Talmage’s opinion of the young journalist. In 1889, he wrote a letter of introduction for the 25 year old Bok to then Postmaster General, John Wanamaker, the Philadelphia department store magnate as “an elder in my church, a stout Presbyterian, & does not want a Post Office. He visits Washington to see ‘the sights.’ He is the founder of ‘The Bok Syndicate’, an institution of wide literary influence. He will make a call of courtesy.” The following year, Bok moved to Philadelphia to assume the editorship of the Ladies Home Journal — a position that he would hold for nearly thirty years. The same year, Talmage took over the editor’s post at the Christian Herald.

After this point, the frequency of correspondence tapers off dramatically, perhaps prompted a letter penned in the early 1890s advising Bok that “…I am in a peck of trouble about an advertisement you made. I have become editor of the ‘Christian Herald’ & with the understanding that I withdraw from all other newspaper work. Now the advertisement which makes me so prominent in your paper following the announcement that I was once of the Editors of the Ladies’ Journal on an immense salary. You can see [that it] puts me at a great disadvantage. You will please not advertise me in connection with the Ladies’ Journal…” The last dated letter from Talmadge in the correspondence was written in April 1892.

Full list upon request.

Two of the letters have been mounted to larger sheets with some toning, most bear expected mailing folds, else fine condition overall.

(EXA 4645) $2,000
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^* Thomas De Witt TALMAGE was a prominent American reformist preacher, orator, Anglican divine author and editor. He graduated from New York University in 1853 and studied law before entering the ministry and earning his Doctor of Divinity from the Reformed Dutch Theological Seminary in New Jersey. He served as a Union Army chaplain during the American Civil War. In 1862, he became the pastor of the Second Reformed Dutch Church (later the Reformed Church in America) in Philadelphia, serving until 1869 when he assumed the pulpit at the Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, where his popularity soared. Three tabernacles were constructed between 1870 and 1894 in an effort to accommodate Talmage’s ever-increasing audience, but all three were ravished by fire, prompting Talmage to accept a position as associate pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington DC, which he maintained until 1899. Throughout his career, his sermons were syndicated regularly in newspapers across the country.

Madison’s secretary of war on the court martial of William Hull for the surrender of Detroit

(War of 1812) John ARMSTRONG (1748-1843) War of 1812 date Autograph Letter Signed, “John Armstrong” as Secretary of War, 1 page on a 244 x 198 mm. (9 3/4 x 7 3/4 in.) bifolium, “War Dept.” [Washington], 25 December 1813, to Alexander James Dallas in Philadelphia.

“On my arrival in Washington this morning I have found your letter of the 27th utl. I am obliged by the suggestions you have made & hasten to advise you that Col. Linard[?] is authorized to receive from you the official correspondence & documents which are in your hands & which have relation to Gen. Hull’s trial.”

Hull was serving as governor of the Michigan Territory when James Madison appointed him a brigadier general commanding American forces in the Northwest. The 60 year old Revolutionary War veteran (and friend of Nathan Hale) reluctantly accepted the offer and proceeded to Cincinnati and Dayton to organzine forces to march to Detroit. After making an abortive attempt to invade Canada, a seemingly larger British force approached Detroit, compelling Hull to abandon the position. It was later discovered that Hull had been, through a series of clever ruses, tricked into believing he was dangerously outnumbered.

Special Judge Advocate Martin Van Buren prosecuted Hull at his Albany, New York court-martial, over which General Henry Dearborn Presided in January 1814. The court found Hull guilty of a several charges including neglect of duty, cowardice, and unofficerlike conduct, and he was sentenced to be “shot to death.” His sentence was tempered by an appeal to President Madison to show clemency considering his services during the Revolutionary War, and his advanced age. Madison concurred, remitting the sentence. Hull spent his final years in retirement at his home in Massachusetts.*

Light dampstains and toning, mild ink transfer, expected mailing folds, some separations and minor losses on blank integral leaf, else very good.

(EXA 5905) $1,200

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^* Report of the Trial of Brig. General William Hull (New-York: Eastburn Kirk and Co., 1814) 2:118.

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