Description:

Henry A. Wise
Washington, D.C., June 8, 1840
Henry A. Wise ALS On Upcoming Harrison Festival: "…[I] shall Tippecanoe it"
ALS
A 1p autograph letter signed by Henry A. Wise (1806-1876), then in his role as U.S. Congressman from Virginia, as "Henry A. Wise" at center right. June 8, 1840. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Inscribed on pale blue bifold paper with an integral address leaf also engrossed in Wise's hand. Traces of red wax seal on the third page, with a corresponding area of loss. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles. The inner pages are blank. Else near fine. 7.875" x 10." Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from RR Auction (Amherst, New Hampshire).

Henry A. Wise wrote this jovial note to fellow Whig booster S.P. Walker, in part:

"Dr Sir -

I intend going to the Harrison festival on Thursday, and - Deo volento [sic] - Shall Tippecanoe it from this to the fall -

yrs truly

Henry A. Wise

Mr. S.P. Walker
Present."

This letter may be the only known instance of an 1840s Whig politician using "Tippecanoe" as a verb! The Whig presidential candidate William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) was nominated alongside running mate John Tyler in 1839. Harrison was affectionately dubbed "Tippecanoe" after the Battle of Tippecanoe, in which he had led American forces against the Shawnee leader Tecumseh and allies in Indiana Territory on November 7, 1811. The campaign slogan of the 1840 Harrison and Tyler presidential ticket became "Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too!"

The "Harrison festival" that Wise was intending to attend in a few days' time no doubt referred to one of the dozens of rallies held throughout the country to drum up political support for Harrison ahead of the 1840 presidential election. The groundswell of support for Harrison and Tyler ensured the primacy of the Whig ticket against that of incumbent Democrat Martin Van Buren.

Henry A. Wise had a remarkable political career as a U.S. Congressman, Governor of Virginia, and U.S. Minister of Brazil. He is perhaps best known, however, as being a Confederate brigadier general during the Civil War.

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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  • Provenance: RR auction certificate.
  • Dimensions: 7.875" x 10"
  • Medium: ALS

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