Political History

Rare early printing of Zachary Taylor’s Inaugural Address

(Zachary TAYLOR) Broadside, “BY EXTRAORDINARY EXPRESS & TELEGRAPH FOR THE MINERS’ JOURNAL ONLY. GEN. TAYLOR’S INAUGURAL ADDRESS DELIVERED AT WASHINGTON, March 5th, at 12 O’clock, M. [Pottsville, Penn.] (24 x 7 1/4 in.).

Rare. An extremely early printing of Zachary Taylor’s brief inaugural address transcribed from the telegraph: “We have at considerable expense procured a Copy of Gen. Taylor’s Inaugural Address, by Telegraph in advance of our Contemporaries, and hasten to lay it before our readers.” An early telegraphic ‘scoop’ of the larger publications in the region as noted in the postscript notice at the bottom of the sheet: “IN ORDER to furnish our readers with Gen. Taylor’s Inaugural Address in advance of the Philadelphia papers, we have gone to much trouble and expense. Therefore those who purchase, we hope, will not loan it immediately.”

Creases, light wear to margins, else fine condition overall.

(EXA 3907) $1,500

D. Kimberly engraving of the first ten Presidents of the United States

(Presidents of the United States) Engraving, “THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES” 18 1/2 x 13 1/2 in. (Boston: Charles A. Wakefield, 1842) Designed by C. H. H. Billings and engraved by D. Kimberly. A fine rendering of the first ten men to hold the office of the President including John Tyler. Tyler was often derided as the “Acting President” as he was the first vice president to succeed to the presidency (on the death of William Henry Harrison in 1841 after only a month in office).

Very light scattered foxing, affixed to a slightly larger sheet that is toned at margins but well clear of image, else very good.

(EXA 3884) $750

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

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.

Hand colored engraving of George Washington by John Trumbull

(John Trumbull) Hand colored engraving, “George Washington : On the Great Occasion of Our Presidential Election. To All Lovers of Freedom and Independence,: Is Presented this Portrait. “‘The Father of Our Country.’” 10 1/8 x 9 1/2 in on a 16 1/2 x 11 in. sheet, ([New York: Illman & Son, c. 1848]).

Light toning at top center, light marginal wear, else fine.

(EXA 3883) $475

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

Grover Cleveland and Alan Thurman Campaign Bandana, 1888

(Grover CLEVELAND) A 19 x 19 in. cotton bandana bearing the portraits of Grover Cleveland and running mate Alan G. Thurman manufactured for the 1888 presidential campaign.

Usual folds, a few minor toned spots, else fine.

(EXA 3908) $350

Early document signed by Henry Clay, c. 1797

Henry CLAY (1777 – 1852) Extremely early Autograph Document Signed “H Clay” 1p. 12 1/2 x 7 1/2 in., Fayette County, [Ky.], [n.d., c. 1797?]

“Thomas Ging complains of William Essex in Custody &c. that he render to the said Thomas the plaintiff the sum of thirty one pounds three shilling sterling money of Ireland, of the value of £41:10:8 current money of Kentucky, which to the said plaintiff he owes and from him unjustly detains. For this to wit that whereas the said defendant, on 5th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six, at Dublin in the Kingdom of Great Britain Ireland, to wit at the parish of Kentucky in the County aforesaid, by his certain promissory note sub- scribed with the proper hand and name of the defendant and to the Court now here shewn the date whereof is the same day & year aforesaid, promised to pay to the said plaintiff or bearer thirty one pounds three shilling sterling, for value received, seventy one days after the date of the said promissory note… Nevertheless the said deft altho’ often re- quested the said sum of £31:3 of the value aforesaid, or any part thereof to the said plaintiff hath not paid but the same to him to pay hath hitherto refused and still doth refuse to the damage of the plaintiff…” A fine document from early in Clay’s legal career. Prior to election to Congress in 1811, Clay had been a skilled attorney in Lexington, Kentucky after he moved there from Virginia in 1797. Matted and framed with an engraved portrait of Clay.

Moderate toning at folds, separation at center horizontal crease, else very good.

(EXA 4062) $1,000

Truman renames the National Military Establishment the Department of Defense

Harry S. TRUMAN (1884 – 1972) An enormous photograph, 19 1/2 x 15 1/4 in. (black & white) on a 24 x 20 in. mount captioned “THE WHITE HOUSE… The President signs the ‘National Security Act Amendments of 1949’ with invited guests attending the ceremony in his office.” Signed on the mount below the caption, ”Harry Truman” as President. Together with a second mounted photograph of similar dimensions depicting an alternate view of the signing ceremony.

National Security Act of 1947 created the cabinet post of Secretary of Defense and combined the Department of the Army and Department of the Navy into the combined National Military Establishment. However, the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal did not enjoy sufficient power to be effective as the Secretaries of the Army and Navy still enjoyed quasi-cabinet level . The amended act of 1949, signed into law by Truman on 10 August 1949 aimed to rectify this situation, created the Department of Defense which unified the several service branches in one federated structure. The modernization of the structure of the armed forces was a key component in Truman’s Cold War strategy.

Minor glue remnants and toning, photographs slightly lifting from mount, else very good condition. Together, two pieces.

(EXA 3886) $1,450

First edition of John Wood’s The History of the Administration of John Adams, 1802

(John ADAMS) John WOOD. The History of the Administration of John Adams, esq. Late President of the United States. (New York: 1802), [2], 506 pp. First Edition, second issue. Bound in later three-quarter leather boards.. With bookplate of Frank Cutter Deering affixed to front pastedown. With ownership signature “John Bartlett’s” on title page together with marginalia in his hand.

John Wood, a Burr partisan, did such a masterful job slandering John Adams, that Burr publicly repudiated the work and sought to purchase all extant copies. Likely due to popular demand, the publisher reprinted the title, despite Burr’s opposition, this time omitting the publisher information on the title page. The original owner of the present copy was not scandalized in the least and made several affirmative notes in the margins. When Wood intimated that Adams’ was acting to subvert the republic, by [in Adams’ words], “…a sudden introduction of wasting calamities, would soon convince the people themselves of the necessity of instituting another form for their own security and protection”, Bartlett agreed wholeheartedly in the margin: “the very design of Mr Adams’s Policy”.

Wood’s final conclusion proves an apt summary of the overall tone: “Extravagance and folly characterised [sic] the last as well as
the first measures of Mr. Adams. The benches of justice were filled with me who fought against American Independence, and those who have been since most active to destroy it. – Mr. Adams determined and declared that he would nominate to the last hour of his presidential existence, and was not sparing of a species of insult an indecency to his successor which no man of command sense and civility could be guilty of … The matter in which Mr. Adams departed from Washington after his power ceased, has even received the censure of his warmest friends: in place of remaining to witness the inauguration of Mr. Jefferson like his illustrious predecessor, he ordered his carriage ready the moment the hour of twelve at night struck and as if ashamed to witness in a private station, the capital of that nation which he had for four years insulted and oppressed, he took his departure before sun rise, and bid (it is to be hoped) a final adieu to the seat of American government.”

Light foxing and toning to some pages, some margins rough, else very good condition overall.

(EXA 4313) $1,000

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