Description:

Lincoln Abraham 1809 - 1865
Rare large broadside of a North Carolina unionist promoting peace between North and South immediately following Lincoln's announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation





Broadside, Brower's Mills, N.C. Sept. 24th, 1862. Mr____ Dear Sir:— I hereby send you a book, which I hope you will carefully read and consider well the object for which i is written... ([Raleigh?: 1862]), 13.25" x 20", type in three ruled columns, signed "BRYAN TYSON" in type. Light dampstains at top left, light scattered foxing, else very good.

A circular letter issued by Bryan Tyson, a Unionist North Carolina slaveholder and manufacturer of farm implements who waged a one-man war against what he considered equivalent evils: abolition and secession. In the summer of 1862, he published his views in a clandestinely printed volume, Ray of Light: a vicious attack on Abolitionists in the North and on the secessionist leadership of the Confederacy, urging an end to the war and an immediate return to the Union to avoid inevitable defeat. Confederate authorities immediately suppressed the work as it reflected the views of many in North Carolina's Piedmont who opposed secession. In mid-September, Tyson was arrested and marched off to Raleigh as a conscript—saved from the army only through the intercession of some influential friends.

Very soon after his release, an unrepentant Tyson published the present broadside to promote his suppressed book. Printed in three columns, Tyson urges re-entry into the Union, "provided we can get our rights, as the surest and best mode of putting a stop to this cruel war." The best course of action, according to Tyson, was to "get an Armistice of some two or three months, and if possible depose Lincoln, and let an election for a new President take place." In addition to Lincoln's removal, the abolition sentiment must be "expunged from the Northern people . . . But in case they are for abolishing slavery; I think it perfectly inconsistent that they should desire a farther Union." He argues that should the South "drive the enemy completely from our shores; we then reach the Blockade," and that is something they have not been able to effectively break in seventeen months. "I therefore think we had best take the bull by the horns at once, and advocate the Union upon just and honorable terms while there is . . . some hope of getting our rights." But another matter has come up: "Since writing the above Lincoln has issued his proclamation emancipating the slaves of all States that shall be in rebellion against the United States on the first day of January, 1863. This makes the prospect for Union more gloomy than ever . . . But I still think it was an act resorted to more for the purpose of putting down the rebellion, than as a special benefit to the African race. Therefore, if we will strike for compromise upon terms already mentioned, I think this thing can be knocked up, and the Union yet saved upon just and honorable terms."

For this, the State of North Carolina arrested Tyson again, and Governor Vance only agreed to release him if he would cease promoting his inflammatory views. He joined the Unionist underground, writing letters to Confederate soldiers urging them to desert, and in the winter of 1863, he sent a copy of Ray of Light to each member of the North Carolina assembly. Tyson was soon forced to flee to the Union lines and moved to Washington, where he was rewarded with a job in the Treasury.

When his recommendations to support North Carolina Unionists fell on deaf ears in the Lincoln Administration, Tyson began working for McClellan's election and helping foment rebellion against the Confederate government in his native state.

Rare. OCLC 10721277, 39085185, 82863759. We have sourced only eight extant examples apart from the one offered here including copies at the Library of Virginia, University of Virginia, Library of Congress, Huntington Library, New York Historical Society, Boston Athenaeum, Clements Library. The Huntington and the University of Virginia also possess a later variant printed in Washington 1863.



Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

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

June 14, 2017 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% 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