Lot 325

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Description:

(ABRAHAM LINCOLN)
Fine content L.S. by nine prominent Pennsylvania Democrats including Senator WILLIAM A. WALLACE (1827-1896) and James Buchanan's first Attorney General, JEREMIAH S. BLACK (1810-1883), 3pp., 4to., Philadelphia, July 1, 1864 concerning: "An informal meeting of citizens representing the feelings and wishes of the democracy of various sections of the State of Pennsylvania was held in this city on the 22nd ult. The subject under consideration was the tendency of public affairs resulting from the maladministration of the Federal Government by Mr. Lincoln and his advisers, and the mode best to be adopted to prevent a continuation of executive power in unworthy hands. It was the opinion of those present that much good might be effected by a more general invitation of men of high standing not only in this State, but in other portions of the country; and for the purpose of making arrangements for holding at an early day a more general consultation, and of inviting from various States gentlemen who are known as entertaining the conservative views of the democratic faith, it was agreed to raise a committee with discretionary power, and the undersigned have been appointed in conformity therewith. In the discharge of the duties imposed upon us we have designated 12 o'clock M. Wednesday August 10: 1864 and the City of New York as the time and place for the proposed meeting. You are cordially and earnestly invited to attend… and give us the benefit of your counsel. The meeting is invited with a view of obtaining a full interchange of the opinions held by the leading men of the country, as to the best course to be pursued in order to defeat the candidates, and frustrate the revolutionary designs of the Republican Part as lately represented at Baltimore,-- secure the protection of the rights of the States and the people, and establish peace in the land. The meeting we are assured has the cordial sympathy of some of the best men in this State. They are impressed with the importance of making a determined effort tending to the restoration of international tranquility, -- the protection of our inalienable rights and the preservation of the powers of the States, in all matters…[The meeting] will be held a sufficient time before the assembling of the National Democratic Convention, and will doubtless exert a salutary influence in our approaching political struggle…" During the summer of 1864, the prospects for Lincoln's reelection appeared incredibly remote. So remote that on August 22, 1864 Lincoln ordered his cabinet to affix the verso of a memorandum with the contents hidden. The document, predicting that re-election for Lincoln's administration was slim and that the signatories promised to cooperate with the next administration. Fortunately for Lincoln, these events did not come to pass. Sherman's capture of Atlanta the next month began to turn the tide of public opinion in the North once again in Lincoln's favor. Usual folds, left margin and weak fold reinforced, else very good.

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June 3, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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