Description:

Wm. H. Harrison, 10 Whig Election Letters

[William Henry Harrison]. A superb collection of ten letters from Massachusetts politicians in response to an invitation by Samuel Greele, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, to attend an Independence Day celebration in Boston, hosted by The Friends of Harrison & Reform. Expected wear may include folds, creases, toning, soiling, minor tears and edge wear. Some with scattered pencil notations from a previous collector. 19pp, 8" x 10".

The collection comprises, in chronological order by date of letter:

1.) George Evans (1797-1867). Autograph Letter Signed, "Geo. Evans", 3pp bifolium, Washington, June 20, 1840. With integral address leaf. Evans regrets that he must decline the invitation, then criticizes the existing administration, claiming it is "crushing the business & happiness of our people into the dust..." In his postscript, he offers a toast for the occasion: "New England - her commerce - her manufacturing, her agriculture & her fisheries. Interests too dear to be sacrificed to the petty schemes of selfish politicians. May her sons awaken as did their fathers in this revolution, to the danger which threatens them." Evans served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives (1826-1830); the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine (1829-1841); and as U.S. Senator from Maine (1841-1847).

2.) Isaac Chapman Bates (1779-1845). Autograph Letter Signed, "I.C. Bates", 1p, Northampton, June 23, 1840. A brief decline: "I am honored with your favor of the 18th. My engagements are such I shall not be able to unite with you at the Harrison Jubilee on this 4th of July." Bates served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1808-1809); the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts (1827-1835); and as U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1841-1845).

3.) Myron Lawrence (1799-1852). Autograph Letter Signed, "M. Lawrence", 1p, Belchertown, June 24, 1840. In part: "It would afford me great pleasure to join with my fellow citizens in Boston on that occasion, but a prior engagement at Concord will prevent. Boston, having on the one hand Bunker Hill, and on the other Dorchester Heights, and Fenwick Hall in the center, she cannot be otherwise than Whig, Whig to the core, Whig now, and forever." Lawrence served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1827-1828) and the Massachusetts Senate (1834-1840; 1843; 1844; 1852).

4.) Autograph Letter Signed, "E. Rhodes", 1p, bifolium, Boston, June 29, 1840. With integral address leaf. Rhodes declines, stating that he must be present at Concord, but offers a sentiment in his post script, which has been cut from the bottom of the first page. 

5.) Levi Lincoln (1782-1868). Autograph Letter Signed, "Levi Lincoln", 3pp, bifolium, Washington, June 29, 1840. Lincoln, who cannot attend, does offer lengthy commentary regarding the political climate: "When distress pervades the Country, and oppression grinds the People, it is the imperative obligation of every Citizen to contribute, what in him lies, to make apparent the causes, and give effect to measures, for the correction of evil. The present session of Congress has been distinguished by a series of outrages upon the rights of the People. The remedy, and the only remedy, is in a change of Rulers. To this end, the People are indeed already moving as with one heart and one mind...they will achieve, under the Banner of Whigs, and in the name of the Republic, a glorious victory." Lincoln adds a postscript: "William Henry Harrison. The People prefer a Man, who, when danger presses, looks for the tracks of his country's Enemies, to one, who follows footsteps, only when they lead to office and sports." Lincoln served as the Governor of Massachusetts (1825-1834), and later, as a representative in the U.S. Congress (1834-1841).

6.) George Nixon Briggs (1796-1861). Autograph Letter Signed, "GN Briggs", 1p, Washington, June 29, 1840. In part: "It would give me great pleasure to meet with our friends on that occasion & partake of this "log cabin fair" - But my public duties & this place prevent a compliance with your invitation." Briggs served for twelve years in the U.S. House of Representatives, and served seven one-year terms as the 19th Governor of Massachusetts (1844-1851).

7.) John Reed Jr. (1781-1860). Autograph Letter Signed, "John Reed", 2pp, bifolium, Washington City, June 30, 1840. Reed declines the invitation, but offers the following statement: "I rejoice at the spirit that prevails at Boston & throughout the country. The Patriots of the revolution, regarded not blood, or treasure, as the price of Independence & liberty, their children the Citizens of Boston know the price & value of their inheritance & will transmit it to their children." Reed served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts (1813-1817; 1821-1841) and was the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (1844-1851).

(8) Robert Charles Winthrop (1809-1894). Autograph Letter Signed, "Robt. Chas. Winthrop", 2pp, bifolium, Boston, June 30, 1840. With integral address leaf and mostly intact red wax seal. Winthrop cannot attend, but offers optimistic words: "The Day will return to us under glorious auspices. There are sounds & sights in all quarters of the Country not to be mistaken. The wind is beyond all doubt in the right quarter, though the rusty weathercocks of our adversaries refuse to acknowledge it. The gale is increasing hourly. The proudest Hickory must fall before it. Nothing but the low, modest, compact, humble, honest, Log Cabin will survive its fury." Winthrop served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts (1840-1842; 1842-1850); and as U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1850-1851).

9.) Jonathan Chapman (1807-1848). Autograph Letter Signed, "Jona. Chapman", 3pp, bifolium, Boston, July 1, 1840. Chapman cannot attend, but offers this sentiment: "But though absent in person, how can I, how can any well wisher of his country fail to be present in spirit at such a meeting...The cause of Harrison & Reform - identified with that which created the American Republic - it must and will prevail." Chapman was a member of the Common Council of Boston, Massachusetts (1835-1836) and Mayor of Boston (1840-1842).

10.) Stephen Clarendon Phillips (1801-1857). Autograph Letter Signed, "S.C. Phillips", 2pp, bifolium, Salem, July 4, 1840. With integral address leaf and red wax seal. Phillips' letter is an invitation to Greele, in part: "It will afford inexpressible graification to the ten thousand Essex Whigs assembled this day at Salem, if the company over which you preside would send us a delegation..." Phillips was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1824-1829); Mayor of Salem (1838-1842); and member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts (1834-1838).

William Henry Harrison's "log cabin campaign" is referred to in several letters. The log cabin was a symbol of the Whig Party's connection to a grass roots movement; they saw the log cabin as a national heritage - though relatively few lived in one by 1840, many had resided in one earlier in life, or had parents who had. The 1840 election marked the first of two Whig victories in presidential elections, but was the only one where they won a majority of the popular vote. Ultimately, the Whigs did not enjoy the benefits of victory. Harrison died just 31 days after his inauguration, and was succeeded by John Tyler, who unexpectedly proved not to be a Whig. While Tyler had been a staunch supporter of Clay at the convention, he was a former Democrat, a supporter of states' rights, and effectively an independent. As President, Tyler blocked the Whigs' legislative agenda and was expelled from the Whig Party.

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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