Political History

Bleeding Kansas: a Manuscript Document Signed by two important pro-slavery Kansas politicans, one being the namesake of Lecompton, Kansas

(Bleeding Kansas) Manuscript Document Signed “John Martin”, 1p. 310 x 195 mm. (12 1/4 x 7 5/8 in.), Tecumseh, Kansas Territory, 8 Oct. 1858 a Petition to Secretary of War John B. Floyd by citizens of Tecumseh, Kansas Territory to appoint Erastus B. Smith as a 1st Lieutenant in the regular army. The petition was presented in the midst of the crisis known as “Bleeding Kansas” the struggle between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, both trying to sway popular support when the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This divide left the question of slavery in the territory to the popular vote.

The document also bears an Autograph Endorsement Signed at the bottom by Federal Circuit Judge Rush ELLMORE (1819-1864) endorsing Smith’s candidacy. First appointed by Franklin Pierce and later James Buchanan as an Associate Justice on the Kansas Supreme Court, Ellmore was firmly in favor of the Lecompton Constitution and was a delegate to the convention that drafted the document. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he supported the Union. The document is also endorsed by Samuel Dexter LECOMPTE (1814-1888). Lecompte moved to Kansas from Maryland in 1854 and was appointed Chief Justice of the Kansas Territory by Franklin Pierce—and served in that capacity until 1859. He was also the president of the Lecompton Town Company and promoted the city to become the state capital. Although a staunch Democrat, he switched his allegiance to the Republicans in 1865.

We have been unable to discover any record of a regular army commission for Erastus Smith. We are fairly certain Erastus Smith later served D Company, 7th Kansas Cavalry through September 1861 through September 1865. The addressee, John Floyd, was James Buchanan’s Secretary of War who was later accused of personal misuse of funds earmarked for the Indians. Floyd chose to support secession at the outbreak of the Civil War and served as a general in the Confederate Army.

Folds and light creases, minor marginal wear as shown, minor soiling, else very good condition. Note: piece has been stored folded and will be shipped in the same manner.

(EXA 5017) $650

Harrison supporter Robert mayo smears Martin Van Buren in the Election of 1840

(Election of 1840) [Robert MAYO] A Word in Season; or Review of the Political Life and Opinions of Martin Van Buren. Addressed to the Entire Democracy of the American People.” (Washington: W. M. Morrison, 1840) 46pp. (with untitled contents page at end) 227 x 143 mm. (9 x 5 5/8 in.) in titled wraps. “Dedicated to the Tippecanoe Clubs of the Union, by A Harrison Democrat” First Edition, lacks second full paragraph inserted on page 46 in the second edition, or the additional page present in the third.

A superb piece of negative campaign literature, attacking President Martin Van Buren in a mock “campaign biography” divided into three “periods” of his life. After covering his rise in New York State politics, his rise to power in the U.S. Senate and subsequent Presidency, Mayo concludes: “It must be obvious to the intelligent reader, that these few pages can only be offered, as a systematic outline, or frame-work, to be filled up by future details. But without these, the reader is now sufficiently initiated into solecism, which equally sustains the truth that Mr. Van Buren did every thing, and advocated every opinion—and the contrary of every thing and every opinion, that have been charged against him: Hence, his partisans dare deny the truth of those charges, when the fact is, that both allegations of his contradictory actions and opinions are true. He has been for and against every thing and every body, every opinion and every party, as it happened to suit the varying phases of his ERRATIC POLITICAL LIFE. But still it may be said, he has been constant in these, because they have subserved his PRE-EMINENT CONSTANCY IN THE PURSUIT OF THE SPOILS OF OFFICE AND THE CONCENTRATION OF POWER.”

Rare. (OCLC 11361356, 50457682) Worldcat identifies only five extant examples of this 1st edition in institutional holdings. Auction records reveal no examples of any edition appearing in the market in the past thirty years. Sabin only identifies a second edition (105456).

Formerly bound, light foxing to title page, minor toning at extreme margins, else very clean and in fine condition.

(EXA 4890) $1,200

A scarce 1862 broadside for the Holliday Street Theater, owned by John T. Ford, also the proprietor of Ford’s Theater, the site of Lincoln’s assassination in 1865

(John T. FORD) Broadside, 403 x 142 mm. (15 3/4 x 4 1/2 in.), for the Holliday Street Theater, (Baltimore: “‘The Printing Office,’ Sun Iron Building,” [1862^*]). A nice example promoting a run of performances by Annette Ince in Lady of Lyons, and the farce, Crimson Crimes.

The Holliday Theater was the first house managed by Ford. He leased the Hollday only a few years after entering the theatrical business as a tour manager of George Kunkel’s Nightingale Minstrels at age 22.

Light toning and faint dampstain at bottom, marginal wear including some minor chips not affecting text, folds, else very good.

(EXA 4551) $175

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^* See Baltimore Sun, 5 September 1862., 2., “Holliday Street Theatre”.

All politics is local: 1828 Anti-Jackson Campaign Broadside

(Election of 1828) Rare Broadside, 12 3/8 x 10 3/4 in., “To the honest and well meaning friends of Gen. Jackson” ([Bath, N.Y.?, 1828]). A fascinating political broadside specifically attacking John Magee (1794-1868), a prominent Jacksonian in Steuben County first elected to Congress in 1826 after a successful stint as sheriff.

The broadside accuses Magee of publishing a broadside advocating a pro-southern, anti-tariff message—part of a blistering series of attacks orchestrated by his political opponents. It reads, in part: “John Magee, & Co. have lately issued a scurrilous handbill, wherein they take the liberty of abusing Gen. McClure, H. Wells, Z. A. Leland, Esqrs. Judges Steele and Knox, together with many others…” The broadside’s anonymous authors then move on to character assassination accusing Magee of abandoning the interests of his constituents accusing him of being unqualified for his high office: “Who is John Magee? … He is a man alike destitute of talents and education, we mean such talents as are the indispensable requisites of a member of Congress; yet at a single leap he arrived at the Capitol of the nation!!! For this we do not pretend to blame him, but we blame him for abandoning the interests of his constituents, in becoming the disciple of John Randolph & Co. The champion of Roanoke is truly and accomplished artist in the manufacture of dough faces, if we judge from the specimen now before us… It is no uncommon occurrence for Mr. Magee to abuse even some men of his own party when they refuse to be dictated by him, in proof of this we have only to refer you to John R. Gansevoort, Elisha Hanks, C.P. Fulton and many more of the same party. But we have done with this subject, and will only say that if Mr. Magee should be Elected it will not be by the votes of the THIRTY-SIX EDITORS.”

The 36 editors notwithstanding, Magee defeated his Democratic opponent, Timothy H. Porter—5,390 to 4,382. Jackson fared similarly in Steuben County.¹ According to a memorial biography of Magee, President Jackson “regarded him as a man of extraordinary sagacity and soundness of judgement, and made him his confidential friend and adviser. He often consulted him upon important questions, and offered him a seat in his Cabinet, which Mr. Magee, however, declined,— preferring, as he did, the greater freedom of action, and the more favorable opportunity for attention to his own private business…”²

Rare. We have been able to source one extant example at the American Antiquarian Society. OCLC 438094359. Not in Shaw-Shoemaker.

Rough at margins, light foxing and creases, ink docket on verso bleeds through to recto but not obscuring text, else very good.

(EXA 4487) $2,000

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¹ Albany Argus, 16 December 1828, 2; National Advocate (New York), November 29, 1828, 2.

² F. S. Howe, Memorial of John Magee… (New York: Charles Scribner & Company, 1870), 26.

Rail excursions to the 1892 Republican Convention

(Election of 1892) Broadside, 16 x 5 1/2 in., headed “Which Will It Be?” issued by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, (Chicago: Rand, McNally & Co., [1892]).

An excellent three color poster bearing the portraits of Republican hopefuls James G. Blaine, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Russell A. Alger, and Chauncey M. Depew advertising special fares to attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Interestingly of the hopefuls illustrated, Blaine’s portrait is the largest. This may have been an effort to generate excitement over the prospect of a party rebellion against the incumbent, Benjamin Harrison. Blaine had resigned his post as Secretary of State only days before the convention. While his motives were uncertain, some elements of the party supported his running for the White House one last time (and perhaps some on the railroad’s board supported Blaine). For Blaine it was too late: he lost in a landslide to Harrison at the convention. Harrison won 535 votes, while Blaine tied future president William McKinley, with 182.

Overall quite clean. Neatly hinged to an archival mat and ready for display.

(EXA 4293) $325

Republican campaign poster for the 1932 election season

(Election of 1932) A terrific and large Republican campaign poster, 15 x 34 in. bearing the slogan: “IT’S AN ELEPHANT’S JOB – NO TIME FOR ‘DONKEY-BUSINESS’! VOTE THE REPUBLICAN TICKET!” Printed 1932 by the Perry-Hanley Advertising Company.

A few minor foxed spots toward margins, some minor wrinkles, else very good overall. Framed and ready for display.

(EXA 4362) $250

Uriah Tracy’s Senate speech opposing the 12th Amendment

(First Party System: Twelfth Amendment) “Mr. TRACY’s SPEECH IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1803. ON THE PASSAGE OF THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION…” ([Washington: 1803]), 24pp., 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. string bound. Volume includes the text of the proposed amendment, Uriah Tracy’s lengthy address to the Senate opposing its passage and the record of the vote in favor.

Uriah Tracy (1755 – 1807), a staunch Massachusetts Federalist, delivered a lengthy address opposing the passage of the amendment designed to prevent the confusion of the presidential elections of 1796 and 1800. In the first instance, while Electors overwhelmingly elected John Adams President, his political nemesis Thomas Jefferson, was elected Vice President as he came in second place. In 1800 it was a tie between Burr and Jefferson, landing the decision in the House of Representatives.

Primarily Tracy believed that requiring electors to make a distinct choice for President and for Vice President would weaken the influence of smaller states: shifting the balance of power between the states and the federal government: “I shall attempt to prove, sir, that the resolution before us, contains principles which have a manifest tendency to deprive the small states of an important right, secured to them by a solemn and constitutional compact, and to vest an overwhelming power in the great states. And, further, I shall attempt to show, that in many other points the resolution is objectionable, and for a variety of causes, ought not to be adopted.” Tracy wonders aloud at one point that the concept of states rights was breaking down completely: “And is this resolution a precursor to a complete consolidation of the union, and to the establishment of a simple republic? –Or will it suffice to break down every federative feature which secures to one portion of the union, to the small states, their rights?”

Tracy dove into a litany of other reasons the amendment should be rejected including this very interesting observation: “The manner of electing the Vice-President, as proposed by the amendment … exposes us to the selection of a less important, and more unfit person , than the constitutional provision…” As John Adams observed during his eight long years in the Vice Presidency: “My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.” Logically Tracy concluded that no fit person would ever aspire to such an insignificant office. Much more fine content for the student of the first party system.

Shaw Shoemaker 5387; Sabin 96420.

Light horizontal creases, light toning and dampstains, else very good.

(EXA 4089) $475

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

Samuel Lyman ALS to Thomas Dwight making jest of Congressman John Randolph’s speech, 1800

(First Party System) Samuel LYMAN (1749-1802) Federalist Representative from Massachusetts 1794-1800. Fine content A.L.S. “S. Lyman” 1p. legal folio with integral address leaf, Philadelphia, 20 Jan. 1800 to Thomas Dwight in Boston poking fun at the maiden speech of Virginian John Randolph (1773-1833) who had entered the House the previous year. Lyman writes in part “…the enclosed Paper [not present] contains Randolph’s Speech; called his Maiden speech, and like young maidens of yore, he has committed folly in Israel — he is a young man of very good natural & acquired talents, but like some of the young Virgins of the ancient Dominion, he has taken a premature leap from his voice & countenance, you would judge, that he was a very young female of about eighteen…” The late 1790s were the scene of terrible political strife between Federalists like Lyman and Jeffersonian Republicans like Randolph.

Partial fold separations, uneven toning, light soiling, else very good.

(EXA 1804) $200

1880 Presidential campaign bandana with portraits of James Garfield and Chester A. Arthur

(James GARFIELD) A cotton bandana, 18 3/4 x 18 3/4, bearing the portraits of James Garfield and Chester A. Arthur manufactured for the 1880 presidential campaign.

A few very minor soiled spots, expected folds, else quite clean and in fine condition.

(EXA 3909) $350

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