Description:

Charles Sumner Thanks MA Gov. for Hosting Hiram Revels, 1st Black Senator

A letter from abolitionist, Charles Sumner, mentioning Hiram Revels. 2pp of a bifolium, measuring 5" x 8", Senate Chambers, Washington, D.C., dated May 10, 1870. Signed "Charles Sumner" and addressed to Mrs. Mary Claflin, wife of Governor William Claflin. Sumner praises the Claflin family. With flattened mail folds and faint foxing. Mounting residue on verso. Boldly signed.

In full:

"I needed no assurance from you to know that your husband had done for Mr. Revels all that hospitality or sympathy could suggest. I am glad to hear of Mr. Revels's success & of all the kindness he received. In this welcome I catch the triumph of a new civilization."

Hiram Rhodes Revels (1827-1901) was born free in North Carolina and was elected by the Mississippi legislature to be the first African-American Senator in 1870 and 1871 during the Reconstruction era. Massachusetts Governor William Claflin (1869-1872) was an ardent abolitionist and hosted Hiram Rhodes Revels at his Boston home in 1870, as referred to in the above letter. After serving in the Senate, Revels was appointed as the first president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University), a historically black college. He served from 1871 to 1873 and 1876 to 1882. Later in his life, he returned to his former service as a minister.

Charles Sumner (1811-1874) was a Massachusetts Senator, known for his powerful oratory skills. He was the leader of the anti-slavery movement in the state and of the Radical Republicans in the U.S. Senate. Sumner is widely remembered as having been nearly killed after delivering an anti-slavery speech "The Crime Against Kansas", in which he insulted South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler. On May 22, 1856, Butler's first cousin once removed, Preston Brooks, attacked Sumner unprovoked on the floor of the Senate and nearly beat him to death with a gold-headed cane. The episode became a polarizing incident in America, as Sumner became a martyr in the North and Brooks a hero in the South.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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