James Anderson ALS to Thomas Truxton expressing distress over Madison’s potential Presidency

“I fear if Mr Madison is elected the war will last longer than I shall live and reduce many thousands to beggary…”

(War of 1812) Autograph Letter Signed,“Jame[s] Anderson”, 3pp., 9 3/4 x 8in. Philadelphia, 21 October 1812 to Thomas Truxtun (1755 – 1822) who commanded the USS Constellation during the Quasi-War with France gaining fame in his victory over l’Insurgente in 1800.

Our correspondent updates Truxtun on a convoluted real estate matter involving water rights and neighboring lands (including some owned by Clement Biddle, then moves on to politics, bemoaning the likely victory of James Madison – an irksome prospect for Federalists everywhere now that war with Britain had begun: “Our election has been conducted and concluded in a very fraudulent manner for of real voters there is not a doubt but that the Federalists had a majority but for the grand object on the 30th inst great precaution will be used and we fully expect prosperity. I am still uneasy about Jersey for the Democrats declare that the state will be for Madison – I fear if Mr Madison is elected the war will last longer than I shall live and reduce many thousands to beggary. There has arrived a flag of truce from England but I do not think any pacific overtures will be listened to by the present Rulers. I shall be very glad of an opportunity of sending good news to you but I see no prospect.” New Jersey did go for DeWitt Clinton, contrary to our correspondent’s fears, but Pennsylvania went to Madison despite the Federalists’ “great precaution”.

The War of 1812 did make the Federalists, already in political decline, very defensive and suspicious of Democratic methods.The Federalist press of the period abounded in rumors of electoral fraud and intimidation and even “threats of assassination and murder … against all those who dare to oppose President Madison’s election.”¹

Integral transmittal leaf addressed to “Commodore Truxtun Woodlawn near Moore’s town New Jersey” and bears a red “PHA 21 OC” cancellation and red ink “24” at right.

Loss to second leaf from seal tear and again at bottom right (quite deliberately but not affecting text), usual folds, else very good condition.

(EXA 4090) $500

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¹ Salem Gazette, 20 Oct. 1812, 2.

Report to Congress concerning foreign exports on the eve of the War of 1812

(War of 1812) Albert GALLATIN Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting Two Statements exhibiting the Quantity and Value of Goods, Wares and Merchandise both of Domestic and Foreign Produce, Exported from the United States to France and Italy, Respectively, During the Last Quarter of the Year 1810, and During the Three First Quarters of the Year 1811; in conformity with the Senate of the Second Instant. March 10th, 1812. Printed by Order of the Senate United States. (Washington: Printed by Roger Chew Weightman, 1812) 2pp. with two fold-out charts, 279 x 196 mm. In titled paper wraps.

Albert Gallatin submitted this report to Congress concerning the state of economic affairs on the eve of the War of 1812 He produced it on the motion of Federalist Senator James Lloyd of Massachusetts on 2 March 1812, only several days before. His letter of transmittal, printed on page 2, reads, in part: “I HAVE the honor, in conformity wit the resolution of the Senate of the 2d instant, to transmit two statements exhibiting the quantity and value of goods, wares and merchandise, both of domestic and foreign produce, exported from the United States to France and Italy, respectively, during the last quarter of the year 1810, and during the three first quarters of the year 1811.The exports to Italy, include both the portion of that country which is actually annexed to France and the kingdoms of Italy and Naples. No exports appear from the custom house returns to have been made during that period to Holland, the Hans Towns, or other countries annexed to France…” The imprint’s two fold-out tables, one dated, 5 March 1812 the other 6 March 1812 detail the two periods to which Gallatin alludes in his introductory letter.

The information was provided in response to a resolution of the Senate of 2 March 1812:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before this House a statement, so far as the same may be practicable, exhibiting the number of ships and vessels, and the amount of tonnage, and the several kinds and amount of merchandise, being of the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United States, or territories thereof, and of colonial produce, exported from thence to any port or place in France, subsequent to the period at which the repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees was to have taken place; stating distinctly the duties payable in the ports of France on each article, before and since that period.

Why Lloyd and the Federalists requested this report is a matter of conjecture. Lloyd was a moderate Federalist and a prominent Boston merchant who would have keenly felt the pinch if trade were to be disrupted with Great Britain. Lloyd would have been eager to demonstrate France a poor replacement for a consumer of American exports: especially those from New England.

EXTREMELY RARE. Worldcat sources only institutional holding of this imprint (Clements Library, University of Michigan),The Library of Congress also holds an edition, which at present is not cataloged. (OCLC#82951453). Shaw & Shoemaker 27190.
Light toning at margins, a few minor folds, bound with string, else fine.

(EXA 1752) $1,250

Poster announcing the reopening of the Louvre after the surrender of Germany

(World War II) Poster, 21 1/4 x 28 1/4 in. “Chefs-D’Oeuvre de la Peinture au Musé du Louvre” (Paris: Mourlot, July 1945).

Featuring Delacroix’s ”La Liberté guidant le people, this is the official announcement of the reopening of the Louvre following the liberation of France by allied forces in 1944. The official reopening on 9 July 1945 celebrated the return of the museum’s greatest treasures with an exhibition of eighty-three of its most celebrated paintings. The show was augmented with exhibits documenting how they were preserved in remote country chateaux during the war as well as displays of correspondence and documents related to negotiations between curators and the German and Vichy governments over the fate of the overall collection.

Despite the promise of “Tous les jours de 10 a 17 heures sauf le lundi”, the museum had to close its doors that winter due to the lack of fuel.2 It did not reopen again until 1947.

Linen backed, some mild cracking along folds, other minor surface wear.

(EXA 3904) $2,000

George Washington and the Secession Crisis: could the sprit of Washington save the Union in 1860?

(Civil War) An appeal to Union sentiments on the eve of the Civil War by Currier and Ives. Hand-colored lithograph, 1860 (11 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. on a 14 x 10 in. sheet). Entitled “THE SPIRIT OF THE UNION” with two verses below:

“Lo! on high the glorious form, of WASHINGON lights all the gloom. And words of warning seem to come; From out the portal of his tomb; Americans, your fathers shed, Their blood to rear the UNIONS fame,Then let your blood as free be given,The bond of UNION to maintain.”

Light toning at top and bottom margins, minor mounting remnants and toning on verso, else fine condition.

(EXA 3882) $500

Unusual Civil War Broadside

(Civil War) An unusual broadside, 18 1/4 x 12 in. (sight) titled “GLORIOUS PATRIOTISM – Unbounded Liberality! – Generosity and Humanity UNPARALLELED!” (Camp Banks [Springfield, Mass.], 29 October [1862]).

The broadside protests alleged shoddy overcoats provided to members of the 46th Massachusetts that was raised in September 1862 in response to Lincoln’s call for additional troops. Appealing to the pervasive racism of the day, the broadside asks: “Are Soldiers dogs, that they should be clothed in Rags that the ‘Darkest colored black person’ from the dismal swamp would to scorn to look at? Are Men, White Men, who leave their Homes, friends and loved ones, to lay down their lives if need be to go forth with $1,87 1-2 Cents Worth of SHODDY to protect them from Winter storms in a hostile country?” Placing matters into perspective, the next line compares the bounty of $150 paid to new recruits to the $1.87 price tag of their shoddy overcoats and sarcastically closes with a slogan:“‘GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH.’ And common $1,87 1-2 Cent Overcoats.” We do not know if the 46th, a nine-month regiment which departed Springfield on 5 November to North Carolina via Boston, ever received better clothing.

Highly unusual. This is the only example of this broadside we have ever encountered.

Loss at bottom right night obscuring text, usual folds, else very good. Housed in a simple black wood frame.

(EXA 4274) $3,000

A scarce edition of the Confederate Articles of War recovered by a Union soldier at Port Royal, South Carolina

Articles of War, for the Government of the Armies of hte [sic] Confederate States. (Charleston: Steam-Power Presses of Evans & Cogswell, 1861) 24pp. octavo in titled wraps which correct the typographical error on the title page. Annotated at the top of the title page: “Found at Hilton Head, Port Royal Harbor S.C. after its occupation by our troops on the night of Nov. 7th 1861”

An attractive and important Confederate imprint with an unusual association. The pamphlet includes 101 articles of war together with a section concerning persons who do not owe their “allegiance to the Confederate States of America” and who are found “lurking as spies… shall suffer death.” Parish and Wallingham 2217; Crandall 1214. Nicholson 45. III Turnbull 331.

Vertical creases, light foxing, some light wear to spine, else very good.

(EXA 3891) $2,750