Lot 236

Future Confederate J. Tattnall Predicts that the "slave states [would]...prefer disunion to a palpable violation of their rights..."

Previous image preload Next image preload

Future Confederate J. Tattnall Predicts that the "slave states [would]...prefer disunion to a palpable violation of their rights..."

Estimate: $600 - $800

Current Bid: $375

(6 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Josiah Tattnall
Sackets Harbor, NY, August 5, 1856
Future Confederate J. Tattnall Predicts that the "slave states [would]...prefer disunion to a palpable violation of their rights..."
ALS

Josiah Tattnall autograph letter signed to Hiram Paulding. 4pp, 9" x 11"; Sackets Harbor, New York; August 5, 1856. A great content letter discussing Slave States' rights versus "Anti-Slavery" sectionalism at play in the 1856 presidential election. Writing less than five years before the outbreak of the Civil War, he forewarns: "The success of the ‘Black Republicans', so called, would bring every question in Congress to a sectional test and produce a state of things which would soon I fear make two nations of us." Tattnall, then a U.S. Navy officer, would later resign and join the Confederacy. He warmly signs, "your friend dear Hiram / Josiah Tattnall." With flattened folds and occasional toning, more so on the last page.

Letter reads, in part: "You mistake my meaning when I speak of the mistaken views of the North in regard to the strength of the South. I purposed to convey the idea that the belief at the North (and it prevails too generally) that the South, from physical weakness, arising from its slaves, dares not to leave the Union, and requires the protection of the free states is erroneous and mischievous, and encourages the free states, or rather the Anti-Slavery party to push their views dangerously far. The Slave States on the contrary are powerful and self reliant, too much so not to prefer disunion to a palpable violation of their rights under the Constitution. Hence the necessity at this crisis that one of the national parties, Democrat or Whig should get the ascendancy. The success of the 'Black Republicans', so called, would bring every question in Congress to a sectional test and produce a state of things which would soon I fear make two nations of us. I like Philmore [sic] [Millard Fillmore] personally. He has been tried and found to be a conservative National President, and I am at heart a zealous ‘American' wishing to put down all foreign influence in the country and all pandering by our parties to foreign prejudices and filthy worshippings [sic] of foreign run or ways and demagogues, and in ordinary times I should vote for Philmore but I truly believe that he cannot possibly be elected and that therefore, the National Democratic party, represented just now by Buchanan should be supported by Whig and Democrat with a view to break down the party of factionists, well represented by Fremont, whom I take to be and have long thought to be a scamp. There's a dish of politics for you…"

Tattnall vividly captures the dangerous political polarization of August 1856, just months before a pivotal presidential election. His analysis proves remarkably prescient: he correctly identifies that a Republican victory would transform every congressional debate into a "sectional test" and warns that such polarization could "make two nations of us."

His strategic assessment that conservative forces must unite behind Democrat James Buchanan to prevent Republican John C. Fremont's election reflects the desperate calculations of moderate voices trying to preserve the Union. Tattnall's dismissive reference to "Black Republicans" and his assertion that the South was "powerful and self-reliant" enough to choose "disunion" over constitutional violations foreshadows the very arguments Confederate leaders would make five years later.

Although Buchanan did win the 1856 election as Tattnall hoped, this only delayed the inevitable crisis. The fundamental sectional divisions Tattnall identified remained unresolved, and when Republican Abraham Lincoln won in 1860, the Southern states fulfilled Tattnall's prophecy by choosing secession.

An excellent letter candidly expressing a Southerner's perspective on potential secession; with additional content about the Navy's challenges as it more widely adopted the use of steam engines in their vessels.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 11" x 9"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000