Description:

Harrison William



Maryland Whig Senator John Leeds Kerr Writes to a Young Man Seeking a Naval Appointment & Laments the Recent Death of Pres. Harrison


Autograph Letter Signed "John Leeds Kerr" as U.S. Senator, one page, 8.25" x 12.25". Addressed by him on verso to "Mr. William R. Atkinson/Monument Square/Baltimore." Franked "Free – John Leeds Kerr." Oval postmarked "Easton Maryland" with "April 14" penned in the oval and "free" handwritten under Kerr's free frank. John Leeds Kerr had cast one of Maryland's 10 electoral votes for President William Henry Harrison in 1840 and represented Maryland in the U.S. Senate from 1841-1843. After one month in office, Pres. Harrison had died of pneumonia on April 4, 1841.



In full "On my return yesterday from Cambridge, where I had been attending the County Court, I received your letter, dated the 3d postmarked the 6th. Your patriotic, but youthful forebodings of the possible result of the illness of the President have been most lamentably fulfilled. The second Father of his Country is no more! and Millions mourn the event. The consequences cannot yet be fairly fully calculated, but the heart of the Patriot may be cheered with a form reliance on the Good Providence, which as Vouchsafed to lead the Republic through many dangers trials, before the coming of this awful calamity. Our Good Citizens must no longer grieve, as man without hope. There is a redeeming spirit in the Constitution and a fair and just confidence to be reposed in those who survive, with the power of Government in their hands, -all recently confided to them by the act or approbation of the People, - which will lead us out of present difficulties and the Ship of State once more into fair weather and an open sea."



I advise you, therefore, to apply yourself, with all the energies of your mind, to daily regular study. Go to the best Master of Mathematical Nautical Science. Read and Study the best General history, , of your own Country, learn all you possibly can, - of its geography – population – vast resources – government laws. Ask some sensible well informed man, near you, - such as Charles F. Mayer or David H. Husar (-don't be afraid to ask them-) what course of reading you had better pursue to qualify you for the honorable mode of life you aspire to follow in your Country service. But, you must go to the best School or Teacher to gain a knowledge of Navigation, at once. Read 'Paley's Moral Philosophy,' too, other good books on 'Moral Science'. In short, apply yourself completely in the pursuit of knowledge you will not fail. I am sorry I must write in haste, as I have many cases little time for them. It is improbable to say when you will succeed in obtaining a warrant, as you may perceive by the Secretary's letter. Go on, without repining at this, to fit yourself for the time when you may be fortunate enough to be called. It will be all the better for you that this may not happen for some time. With my best respects for your Mother."
Mounting remnants on verso at left and right edges show through. Partial splits at edges. Good condition.


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