(Abolitionism) DS. 1pp 8” x 3”. July 12, 1844. Boston A p[partly printed receipt for “The Emancipator and Free American”, it confirms that someone paid for twenty-one copies of the magazine. It is in fine condition.

Autograph Letter Signed Philadelphia, May 31, 1833. 1 page, 13” x 8”. Postal cover on verso. The letter reads: “Dear Sir, I send you the Release of Dower - will you and your wife please sign it opposite the seals, where I have marked your names in pencil...acknowledge it before the mayor of Trenton, who will put in his signature and city seal...” Dower rights came from the English common law system and were followed in the American colonies, continuing in most states well into the 19th century. The dower right of any validly married woman was established as soon as her husband became possessed of an estate in real property that could be inherited by his children. Some occasional staining; Very Good.

“Camp Meigs-Readville Oct. 31, 1862- Charge and Specification against Private John G. Beecher of Co. E. 45th Reg. mass – Charge, overstaying his furlough…” 1862, Camp Meigs, Readville Oct. 31st. Civil War letter. 2pp 7 ¾” x 9 ¾” “said John Beecher received a Furlough Oct. 25th which expired Oct 28th at 7 o’clock p.m. About six o’clock that evening his son applied for an extension of his father’s furlough, which was refused, and was told to tell his father to return to Camp by the first train from Boston, the next morning. He failed to and Thursday a.m. Oct. 30th I left for the city in search of him. I first visited his house in Chelsea, found his wife who reported that he left home on the afternoon of the previous day for Camp. Knowing from this he must be in Boston I returned and go an officer who soon found and arrested him, he was brought to Camp Friday morning by an officer from the city and delivered to me by a corporal of the Provost Guard…” “The undersigned having examined the case of private Beecher finds him guilty by his own confession of the whole charge… I sentence him to 3 days in the guard house on bread & water.” An interesting look at the personal hardships placed on families during the war. The sentence of Beecher is approved and signed “R. A. Peirce, Brig. Gen’l” though we find no listing of Peirce as a general

Boies Penrose (1860 - 1921) American lawyer and Republican politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. TLS. 1 page. 8 1/2” x 11”. Nov. 27, 1914. On Penrose’s personal letterhead. Addressed to Samuel Dickson, Esq., Philadelphia, Penna. “Dear Mr. Dickson: I have yours of the 25th instant. I entirely agree with your criticisms on the Wilson administration in connection with Mexico. I am very familiar with this situation. I have given a good deal of attention to it and am in receipt of a large correspondence direct from Mexico regarding matters there. I have postponed opening the subject in a public way until a favorable opportunity should occur and, of course, during the last few months I have been too much occupied with my own campaign to take the subject up. I intend, however, to resume consideration of the matter at an early date and will file your communication and bear your views in mind. Hoping to see you soon, I am Yours truly, Boies Penrose”. During the Wilson Administration, the United States occupation of Veracruz, which began with the Battle of Veracruz, lasted for six months in response to the Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914. The incident came in the midst of poor diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, related to the ongoing Mexican Revolution. Very Fine.

CALEB SMITH. ANS. 1pp. 8" x 12 1/4". Indiana. 19th March 1833. An autograph note signed by Caleb Smith at the conclusion of a lengthy autograph legal document signed. Smith penned: "Personally came into open Court Caleb B. Smith who being duly sworn on his oath saith that the matter & things in the above bill of complaint contains so far as Robert Russell and William Clary and Abner S Bond are severally concerned...Caleb B Smith". The note is darkly penned and in fine condition. The overall piece has some light toning that affects nothing.

CAROLINE and WILLIAM ASTOR. ADS. 1pp. 8" x 2 3/4". New York. March 14 1871. A check signed "Caroline W. Astor" and completely engrossed by her. The "Chemical Bank" check paid "Mr. Wm. Astor One hundred & sixty four Dollars and one cent". It is endorsed on the verso "Wm Astor". There is a cut cancellation that does not affect either signature and a thin ink line through Caroline's signature, but her autograph is still fully readable.

WALTER P. CHRYSLER. ADS. 1pp. 6 3/4" x 2 3/4". New York. Feb 9, 1931. A "Central Hanover Bank and Trust Company" check signed "Walter P Chrysler Jr.". He paid "The Chieftain Cafe $2.-". The check has the usual punch cancellations that barely affect the engrossment but not the signature. It is in very fine condition with a dark signature.

(CIVIL WAR POEM). Autograph Manuscript. 3pp. 5" x 8". n.p. n.d. A lengthy autograph manuscript poem entitled "The Old Union Wagon" written during the Civil War.

The unidentified writer started with ink, but then switched to pencil in composing his work:

"In Uncle Sams dominions in 1861
The fight between Secession to the Union was begun
The South declared they'd have the 'Rights' that Uncle Sam denied
Or in Secession's wagon they'd all take a ride Chorus Hurrah for the wagon
The old Union wagon
We'll stick to our wagon & all take a ride
The makers of our Wagon were men of solid wit
They made it out of Charter Oak that wouldn't rot or split
Its wheels were of material the strongest & the best
And two were named the North & South and two the East & West
Our Wagon bed is strong enough for any revolution
In fact tis the hull of the old 'Constitution'
Her coupling strong her...long and any where you get her
No tyrants from can break her down no traitor can upset her
Now the old Union Wagon the nations all admired
Her wheels had run for four score years and never once been tired
Her passengers were happy as long her way she whirled
And the Old Union Wagon was the glory of the world
But when Old Abe took command the South wheel got displeased
Because the public fat was gone that kept her greased
And when he gathered up the reins & started on his route
She plunged into Secession & knocked some fellers out
Now while in the Secession's mire the wheel was stuck very tightly
Some lousy passengers got in & cursed the driver slightly
But Abram couldn't see it so he didn't heed the Clatter
There's too much black mud on the wheel that's what's the matter
So Abram gave them notice that in eighteen sixty three
Unless the Rebels dried it up he'd set their niggers free
And then the man that led the war to fight against our nation
Would drop his gun & home he'd run to fight against starvation
When Abram said free the slaves that furnished their supplies
It opened Northern traitors months & Southern traitors eyes
The slaves said they will run away if you this ruely freed them
But Abram guessed perhaps they best go home and oversee them
A sound our Union Wagon with shoulders to the wheel
A million soldiers...with hearts as true as steel
And of all generals high or low that helped them save the nation
There's none that strike a harder blow than General Emancipation.".

The piece has a few faults but is in generally Fine condition.

CYRUS FIELD. ADS. 1pp. 7" x 2 3/4". New York. 29 May 1878. A "National City Bank" check signed "Cyrus W. Field" and completely engrossed by him. He paid "J. H. Clinch Forty One 42/1-Dollars". One stamp and punch cancellation that touch the engrossment but not the signature in any way. It is in very fine condition.