War of 1812

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.

Federalist Samuel West Jr. writes letter complaining of electoral shenanigans by  Democratic-Republicans in Columbia, CT

(First Party System & The War of 1812) Extremely fine content A.L.S. “Samuel West Jr.”, 3pp. + integral address leaf, 319 x 190 mm., Columbia, [Conn.] 8 Oct. 1813 to Dr. Chester Hunt complaining of one Captain Kingsley, a Democrat, who the author believed had tricked the Federalist residents of the town into missing a town meeting. A terrific story, worthy of quoting nearly in its entirety: “… Sir I will give you a nar[r]itive of our democratic Town meeting when Capt. Kingsly was one of our Select Men—. The Town of Columbia was incorporated I think the year 1804 we remained and the galling yoak of democracy for two years and a half, in September 1806 the Federalists Succeeded in the choice of a representative by a majority of five which discovered the streangth [sic] of the Federal party[.] our town meeting had generally been held on the first or second Monday in November, but November passed off and a great part of December and nothing could be heard about town meeting, though inquiry was frequently made when it would come on, near the 20th of December it being Sunday morning [?] there hap[p]ened Some men to be at Mr. Stephen Hosmers who was one of the select Men he was asked when Town meeting would be he said it might be the next morning at nine Oclock the federalist railed. men were sent in every direction through the Town to notify the federalists they were all notified before day it was expected the Select Men after finding that the federalists had got knowledge of the meeting and was ready and willing to vote them out of office that they would pleas’d that their warning had blown off from the post and they had got no Copy and would not do any business, to prevent that a man went to Cap… Kinglsey (who was one of the select men) early in the morning to find whether they had got a copy or not. he says to Capt. Kingsley I want a little brandy to carry to Norwich with me to day I am going the road Capt Kingsley not knowing what had taken place during the night say you will not go to Norwich to day it is Town meeting to day, Town meeting to day says the man I was at meeting yesterday. I saw no warning on the post, Capt. Kinglsy says likely has likely blown off but that will make no difference we have got a Copy of the warning. the man went home and attended meeting the Select Men finding the federalists all on the ground and able to vote them down came forward and said that they would do no business. the warning was lost and they had got no copy, the man who had seen Capt. Kingsly came forward and said that Capt. Kinglsey had told him that morning that they had got a copy, Capt Kinglsy replied he did suppose that they had a copy amongst them but it proved they had on them was not one of [the?] Select Men th[a]t pretended to know any thing what was contained in the warning. They refused to go on business and warned another meeting. this Capt. Kingsly is the man who some are recommending highly for a Major in the 12 Regiment he is the man who just put the warning above mentioned on the post in a stormy evening which was never seen nor heard of after[.] I do not know that he had any evil intention but it is strong that the democrats should all have the information and the federalist all ignorant of it until late in the night the last preceding the meeting, I think it likely that had not the federalists got information of the meeting the democrats would have met and would have had a copy of the warning to done[?] the business of the meeting. If ou should feal [sic] willing to copy the substance of the above in our own Stik [?] and communicate it to Phinahas Talbot Esqr for him to communicate to his excellency the Governor if he should think proper I should be glad, I should like to have the upper house know something of the transaction without doing it my self – yours with esteem Samuel West, Jr…”

A wonderful description of the bitter conflict between the declining Federalist party and the Democratic-Republicans in New England during the War of 1812.

Dr. Hunt, mentioned in this letter, had recently built a house (1800) in neighboring Windham and the building is still in a state of preservation and on the National Register since 1970.

Clean fold separations to front leaf, partial on verso, minor marginal chips and tears affecting several words of text, usual folds, small loss from seal tear, else very good condition overall.

(EXA 2438) $450

Rare 1832 hand-colored print of Col. Johnson’s defeat of Tecumseh near Moravian Town, 5 Oct. 1812

(War of 1812) A rare hand-colored print, 6 x 13 1/4 in. on a 13 3/4 x 8 1/4” sheet entitled: “A View of Col. Johnson’s Engagement with the Savages (commanded by Tecumseh) near the Moravian Town, October 5th, 1812 [sic, 1813]” [Engraved by A. Bowen], hand colored in green, blue, yellow and red watercolor. Undated, but the print is known to have been prepared for the 1832 edition Henry Trumbull’s History of the Discovery of America.

Captioned in eight parts describing the scene: “1 Col. Johnson heroically defending himself against the attack of an Indian Chief. 2 The American Infantry firing upon a body of the enemy on the left. 3 A dismounted Dragoon personally engaged with one of the enemy. 4 The cavalry pursing the retreating savages across the hills. 5 Tecumseh rallying his men, and encouraging them to return to the attack.” A savage in the act of scalping a wounded drummer of the American Infantry. 7 The savages, pursued by the cavalry, retreating to a swamp on the left. 8 The enemy (rallied by their commander Tecumseh) returning to the attack.” It is generally believed that Tecumseh died at the hands of Col. Richard Mentor Johnson during the battle. Johnson, who was wounded several times during the battle, became a prominent Kentucky politician. Johnson’s reputation earned him a spot on the 1836 Democratic ticket with MartinVan Buren.

Backed by another sheet of paper, some marginal tears and vertical creases, else very good.

(EXA 3975) $600

War of 1812 soldier Green CLAY ADS reporting deserters from “John Yanties Company”, 1813

(War of 1812) Green CLAY (1757 – 1828) Soldier. Autograph Document Signed “Green Clay” and twice again in body of document adding his rank as “Brigr. Genl.” 2pp., 13 1/8 x 7 7/8 in., [n. p.] 17 June 1815, being a fair copy of a general order he issued in Cincinatti on 9 April 1813 ordering “The Commandants of Regiments will cause to be made immediately a Regimental report of the men, who have failed to Join the Detachment; and those who have Deserted – specifying as near as practacable [sic] descriptions of their persons, & place of resi- dence Signed Green Clay Grigr. Genl.”

“The following is a transcript of my Order Book & Brigade report of Deserters & Delinquints [sic] from the Brigade of Kentucky Militia detached under the command of Brigadier Genl Green Clay the same being taken from reports of the adjutant of Col. Boswells Regiment and Serjant [sic] Majr. of the late Colo. Dudleys Regiment.” Clay then lists the names of five deserters from Fort Meigs based on a report issued by Brigade Major Thoas H. Pindell “about the middle or last of May 1813” All were from “Capt. John Yanties Company”. Included are the names of each deser ter, three simply listed as “delinquent”; another was “delinquent” but when deposed claimed that he was from Lincoln County; another was “delinquent” but also complained of “Rhumatism” [sic]. However “Abram Nicham” was clearly a “Deserter” who “run away to the State of Ohio.” Clay concludes his transcript with the following observation: “As to having a private understanding with any Officer; or one Officer with another contrary to the Rules of the Army: the Duty of an officer and strict Honor the Idea is inadmissible: I know of no such thing.”

Light marginal wear and toning, usual fold else fine.

(EXA 4084) $650

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