Description:

Early 19th C. New York
Paris, France, October 5, 1839
Whimsical Early 19th C. NY ALS Satirizing Presidents, Politicians, Religious Leaders Inc. Joseph Smith & Dr. Channing!
ALS
A 4pp autograph letter in French and English signed by George Townsend as "George Townsend" on the integral address leaf. October 5, 1839. Paris, France. On bifold paper containing an integral address leaf. Expected flattened transmittal folds, a few with isolated tiny breaks. Minor ink bleed-through and isolated ink smearing, else very legible and near fine. 7.785" x 10."

The identity of the writer George Townsend is unclear. He was probably a New York politician, as suggested by his passing statement that he and his correspondent once voted at "Constitution Hall." More is known about Townsend's correspondent: he was Samuel B. Ruggles (1799-1881), a Yale-graduated lawyer, landowner, and former member of the New York State Assembly. Townsend and Ruggles evidently came from the same intellectual, socio-economic, and political circle, and the letter reflects a plethora of inside jokes shared between the pair.

Townsend wrote this satirical masterpiece while he was traveling through Europe. His letter was not intended to inform, but to titillate and entertain. Replete with in-jokes as well as contemporary cultural, literary, and political references, the letter makes for rewarding though challenging pleasure-reading. Add to this Townsend's excessive use of literary devices, puns, run-on sentences, and circumlocutions, and the reader quickly recognizes that Townsend is an exceptional wordsmith. Over and over again he showcases the silly and the absurd, compounding the silliness and absurdity through his grandiloquent writing.

Townsend delights in his mischief-making: "I agree with the Rev. Dr in his admiration of the long-winded, obscure, parenthetical style. I delight in long sentences - I think they are the true weapons for giant minds - they resemble those heavy, long two-handed swords with which the Bruces + Wallaces of ancient days used to slash open their opponents' skulls. I have myself 'tried my d-dest' to make this pious epistle consist of but one sentence but I have made a greater 'bollox' (Saxon word) of it than the American dwarf Stevens, (that armless youth, who used to cut paper likenesses with his toes in Peale's museum) did when he tried on day in my presence to make that Kentuckian, Porter, assume a horizontal position - But I know that your kindness will allow that I have succeeded in making myself tolerably incomprehensible to use a word six syllables -… when I commenced this scrawl + I demanded of him, in what manner I should address myself to you + he told me to put down any nonsense + I have taken him at his word." The resulting letter was as entertaining for its original intended audience, Samuel B. Ruggles and his household, as it is for 21st century readers.

No one is safe from Townsend's deprecatory remarks, including himself, his correspondent, their mutual friends, and celebrities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Townsend refers to, in alphabetical order:

Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux (1778-1868), British politician. "Lord Brougham, that illustrious individual, whom I recollect having heard termed the greatest swearer + brandy + water drinker in Great Britain."

Robert the Bruce (1274-1329), King of Scotland.

Edmund Burke (1729-1797), British philosopher, poet, and artist.

Revered William Ellery Channing (1780-1842), famous Unitarian minister. "Regardez bien the above sentence - How tickled would be the gizzard of a Channing could it but meet his eye! You recollect what praises this learned divine (whom you yourself acknowledged 'could beat the Apostle Paul + give him six') in his famed essay on Milton, has lavished upon the obscure style 'that it is the style which men of Genius (more properly spelt perhaps Gin-ius) always employ - that simplicity + directness of expression are signs of a shallow mind…+c.+c."

Aaron Clark (1787-1861), 62nd Mayor of New York City. Townsend facetiously says that Clark will be remembered for his eloquence longer than America's foremost established statesmen and writers.

Washington Irving (1783-1859), American novelist of "Knickerbocker Tales" celebrity.

John Milton (1608-1674), English poet of "Paradise Lost."

Joseph Smith (1805-1844), founder of Mormonism. "Mon Cher Joseph Smith, Le frère de Mormonisme et des Finances." ["My dear Joseph Smith, the brother of Mormonism and FInances."]

Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), 8th U.S. President. "…one of your own kith + kin, she that startled me with her apropos remark when the sound of a cannon reached our ears - 'the President is making a remark.'"

Gulian C. Verplanck (1786-1870), an arts aficionado who belonged to the Knickerbocker Group. He also served in New York state government, and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1824-1834.

William Wallace (died 1305), Scottish freedom fighter.

Daniel Webster (1782-1852), New England politician renowned for his oratory.

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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  • Dimensions: 7.785" x 10"
  • Medium: ALS

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