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Lot 238
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Incredible Slavery, Kansas, Nebraska Content Letter by Sen. Quitman
Incredible Slavery, Kansas, Nebraska Content Letter by Sen. Quitman
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Description:

John A. Quitman
Washington, DC, March 22, 1856
Incredible Slavery, Kansas, Nebraska Content Letter by Sen. Quitman
ALS
John Anthony Quitman (1798-1858). Autograph Letter Signed, "JA Quitman", 4pp bifolium, 7.75" x 9.75", Washington, March 22, 1856. Accompanied by the original 5.5" x 3" cover completed in Quitman's hand, free franked with his signature, "Free JA Quitman", and postmarked Washington, D.C., March 23, 1856. In pencil at top of first page, previous collector notes that the letter was found in the Gillespie house, Jackson, MS, July 1863. Flattened mailing folds. Light edge toning with minor scattered spotting. In fine condition.

Quitman's densely packed letter to "W. M. Gillaspie", of Jackson, Mississippi, in full:

"Again I thank you for your attention to my business. I will expect soon to receive the certificate of deposit for the amount of Jones' debt. Should it not have been transmitted when you receive this, please have it made pay to order of W. A. Britton & Co. Natchez and transmit it to them, advising them to notify me of receipt.

You wish my views on political matters. I have thought much and learned much, since I have been here. It would extend beyond the limits of a letter, and take too much time from the heavy and less agreeable duties now pressing on me, to give you even an outline of many matters of deep interest, which have met my observation. But if you will excuse me in hastily touching some of them, I will submit them. The House is anti-slavery by a decisive majority. The vote taken day before yesterday on sending a Commission to Kansas to take testimony, was a test vote on this subject.

There was in truth no pretense for such a proceeding. Their object is, at public expense, to throw bread cast before the people of the North, garbled statements of what they call the Missouri invasion of Kansas, to paint some excesses committed in high colors, and thus to create excitement against slavery in the South, with a view to operate on the approaching Presidency election. They wish to impeach the validity of the Territorial Legislature on the ground of its have been elected by violence & fraud. The report of this Commission will not probably come on in three months.

In the mean time there are pending various measures involving the Kansas or slavery question. Bills to repeal the Kansas Nebraska Act - to restore the Mississippi compromise - to annul the territorial acts - to admit the self constituted state side - and soon no doubt Senators from that state under her revolutionary government will present themselves. Such are the consequences of the anti-slavery feeling & such the results of Cass' pure 'squatter sovereignty' doctrines - the resort of political cowardice in times past. What will be the final upshot of all these agitations, I will not now venture to predict. There is some reaction North, but I fear it is overrated - New Hampshire, which gave Pierce more than 13000 majority, notwithstanding in the recent elections, the immense effort of the administration, has still gone against us - my impression is we need not count on a single N. England state in support of any measure to protect the constitutional rights of the South.

While I hope we shall be enabled to carry the next Presidential election, we should not have too much confidence but put forth our strongest man. Who shall he be? I will frankly for your private ear give you my opinion - Douglas is the man. He is bold, fearless, talented. He was the originator of the Kansas bill. He is the proper representative of the principle & now its boldest and ablest defender. See his report & speech. He is the firmest & clearest in support of all our rights, and takes open ground against the monstrous principle of 'squatter sovereignty' - behind which these traitors now entrench themselves. He is progressive, right on the Cuban & Central American questions. Has more of the affection of the masses and would create more enthusiasm than any other Northern name, even in the South.

He has no desire of old political fogies around him to seize on the public offices. Besides he is a Western man, and while the North is waging a war of extermination against us, it seems to me our best policy to link ourselves with the young and growing West. Pierce deserves much for his message on states rights, slavery & Kansas, but the vacillation of his course on other questions, his want of consistency & firmness on the Cuban & Central American questions & his queer policy in regard to important appointments have made him to some extent unpopular, and he as well as Buchanan, is already surrounded with advisers whose policy is too slow for this age of steam & electricity. I will earnestly support either of these gentlemen if nominated & might perhaps even in the nominating convention conclude to vote for either on the score of availability. But with my views, could I nominate a man of the three, it would be Douglas.

A word in regard to myself. Many persons here and elsewhere wish to see me nominated for the Presidency. My ambition is to be the representative of a principle, rather than hold office. Yet having devoted my life since the Mexican war, to the cause of states rights, Southern rights & progress, I would be happy by such nomination to receive an endorsement of my principles. I believe now, if my friends everywhere would speak out I might be nominated. I will endeavor to spare time in a few days to write further on this subject. Now, requesting you to consider what I have said of the Presidency as confidential. I must conclude by assuring you of my regard."

As President of the Mississippi Senate, Quitman served one month as Acting Governor of Mississippi, from December 3, 1835 to January 7, 1836, as a Whig. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, Quitman was made a Brigadier General of Volunteers. He commanded a brigade under Zachary Taylor in northern Mexico. After the Battle of Monterrey, Quitman was sent to join Winfield Scott's expedition. He led the 2nd Brigade in the Volunteer Division during the Siege of Veracruz, and on April 14, 1847, he was promoted to major general in the Regular Army. He was discharged on July 20, 1848. He was elected governor in 1849 as a Democrat, and served from January 10, 1850, until his resignation on February 3, 1851, shortly after his arrest for violating U.S. neutrality laws. Quitman was strongly pro-slavery and a leading Fire-Eater. The Fire-Eaters were a group of radical pro-secession Democrats in the antebellum South who urged the separation of the slave states into a new nation.

Captain William Marion Gillaspie [Gillespie] (1823-1893) came to the Jackson area from Purdy County, Tennessee. He was a school teacher, had knowledge of pharmacy, and was associated with Planters Insurance Company. After the Civil War, Gillespie purchased forty acres of meadows and woods and built his estate, which became known as Gillespie Farm.

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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