Description:

Yale Man Re: War of 1812, Russia, Napoleon

This letter was written by Senator David Daggett of Connecticut, whom the state legislature had recently chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Chauncey Goodrich to become lieutenant governor of the state. Daggett, a committed Federalist, opposed the War of 1812 as "foolishly and wickedly" begun by the Democratic-Republicans and discussed the prospects for peace and the role of the Russian government in brokering such an agreement.

[WAR OF 1812]. David Daggett, Autograph Letter Signed, to Unknown, June 10, 1813, Washington, D.C. 2 pp., 7.75" x 12.75". Separated on central fold; small loss at bottom edge, not affecting text; general toning.

Complete Transcript
Washington June 10, 1813
Dear Sir,
Having a little leisure this morning I thought I could not better improve it than in writing a word or two to an old & respected friend. Knowing your anxiety respecting our national concerns I wish I was able to relieve it. It is my opinion, and I have endeavoured to form a just one, that the Russian Cabinet actually proposed to our government their mediation to bring about a peace. The British government are notified of the fact but have neither assented nor dissented. Probably they will meet us, & a peace will be concluded but the right of search will not be abandoned tho, it may be modified
[.] Buonaparte's condition will have its influence on this negotiation as you will readily see.
The taxes, to impose which Congress met, are not yet reported to the House of Reps. On this subject conjecture would be idle. The Democrats will come to the measure of taxing the people like bears to the stake. The chance is that further delay will take place. The ruling party probably wish to see if peace cannot be made the ensuing fall so that the revenue from commerce may again supply the Treasury. It is also very doubtful if a majority can agree on the objects of taxation. The federalists will let them provide ways & means of their own to carry on a war urged so foolishly & wickedly.
You probably have seen Mr Harpers speech pronounced at the Russian festival. It was an animated & very eloquent history of Buonapartes campaign to Russia. It was received with great applause.
I am very respectfully
Your obedient servant
David Daggett

Historical Background
When the War of 1812 began, Russian Tsar Alexander I was concerned and wanted to help settle the differences. Great Britain was an ally against Napoleonic France, and the United States was an important commercial partner. Alexander feared that the conflict might push the United States into an alliance with France. The Russians proposed an offer of mediation jointly to the two warring sides, and President James Madison accepted the offer on February 24, 1815. On March 11, he appointed three commissioners to go to Russia to meet with representatives from Great Britain. By June 1813, it was clear to the tsar that Great Britain had no interest in Russian mediation of the conflict, though the possibility was discussed for the remainder of the year on both sides of the Atlantic.

Daggett also references a speech delivered by Robert Goodloe Harper (1765-1825) at Georgetown on June 5, 1813. Born in Virginia, Harper had represented South Carolina in Congress (1795-1801) as a Federalist before moving to Baltimore and resuming his law practice. Harper delivered this speech at an event celebrating the Russian victories over the armies of Napoleon.

David Daggett (1764-1851) was born in Massachusetts, as a descendant of a long-established ancestor who came with John Winthrop's company in 1630. He enrolled at Yale College at the age of 16 and graduated in 1783, then earned a master's degree. In 1786, he married Ann Munson (1767-1839), and they had nineteen children. He studied law, gained admission to the bar in 1786, and established a practice in New Haven. He served in the Connecticut House of Representatives (1791-1797) and the Connecticut State Council (1797-1804, 1809-1813). After serving as the state's attorney for the county of New Haven from 1811 to 1813, he was elected as a Federalist to the U.S. Senate in 1813 and served from 1813 to 1819. In 1824, he became an instructor at the New Haven Law School, and in 1826, he was appointed the Kent Professor of Law at Yale, holding both positions until his health forced him to resign. In 1826, he was elected to the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors, and he was made Chief Justice in 1832, a position he held until 1834, when the state constitution mandated that he retire at age 70. From 1828 to 1829, he served as mayor of New Haven. Daggett was a strong anti-abolitionist and held racist views toward African Americans. He opposed African American education and supported colonization for free blacks. In 1833, he ruled as chief justice of the state supreme court that because African Americans could not be U.S. citizens, they could be denied education. In 1840, he married Mary L. Lines (d. 1854).

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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