Amos Kendall (1789 - 1869 ) An American politician who served as U.S. Postmaster General under Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. Many historians regard Kendall as the intellectual force behind Andrew Jackson's presidential administration, and an influential figure in the transformation of America from an agrarian republic to a capitalist democracy. In 1857, Kendall's philanthropy founded the school in Washington, D.C. that later expanded and became Gallaudet University for the deaf. ALS. 1 page. Washington May 30th 1858. To Col. E. S. Sanford; “My dear Sir, I received yesterday your letter of the 28th inst, and in reply have to say that although I shrink from public displays in general it would give me pleasure to join in a welcome to Prof Morse With you in New York, [and] appropriately the fixing upon the programme of the reception should one be given , and although I am not felicitous in making speeches especially of a complimentary character, I will endeavor in my plain way to perform that on any other part of the drams which you may assign to me. With kind remembrance.Your friend, Amos Kendall.

[Robert Fulton]. London, 1796. Published by I. And J. Taylor. First Edition. 17 engraved plates. Contemporary cover boards, with significant wear. Worn spine. Robert Fulton was credited with the design for the first commercially successful steamboat. His breakthrough in this regard came in France 1803, when his steamboat went up the river Sienne. Earlier steam boat designs had been tested in the canals of England. Fulton also designed and built the world's first practical submarine, the Nautilus, launched in 1801. This work was Fulton's attempt to design a canal system that would be operational in hilly terrain and with little water, and concluded by advocating small canals. Fulton sent copies of his book to George Washington and other high government officials to demonstrate how the United States could benefit from canal navigation.

WILLIAM GLADSTONE (1809 - 1898). British Prime Minister. Front panel of an envelope addressed to American financier Cyrus Field. Signed by Gladstone at lower left. Cover indicates the letter was sent June 14, 1866. A fine association of these two figures. Trimmed. Fine

DS. 1 page. February 20, 1866. 3 3/4” x 12” Partly-printed Declaration of Dividends payable for shareholders of the Oswego & Syracuse RR Co. J. PIERPONT MORGAN (1837-1913). Financier. Probably the most prolific and powerful banker in American Financial history, J. Pierpont Morgan epitomized the financial genius, courage and flair that made possible many of the most important financings of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Morgans signs indicating his receipt of Dividends payable to his father Junius S. Morgan. Couple of light edge chinks at top. Fine.

Autograph Letter Signed, “Thomas Massie.” Two pages, 7 ¼” x 9 ¼. No place. No date. The document reads: “My Dear Father: I now take up my pen to enclose you another sheet in the letter Mr. (?) is so kind as to take charge of for me. It is reported here that Jamaica is taken by the French Toulon and Spanish Fleet which if true will give a dreadful blow to the English commerce, Intelligence which is published as authentic has also been received from the isle of France stating the capture of 30 British Indiamen by Admiral Linois. The French have now twenty ships of the Line at Brest beside a great many frigates independent of the Rochefort and Toulon fleets, and there are even more first rates at Antwerp that will be soon ready for sea. England cannot send to sea more than fifty ships of the Line because she actually wants men and money to equip the rest she is fighting now not for glory but actually for existence as a Nation. It is the opinion of most intelligent men whom I have conversed with that the Government will declare itself Bankrupt. The National debt is so enormous that to pay the interest of it requires so large a proposition of the money they are capable of raising, that enough is not left for the means of a sufficient defense. Mr. (?Gist) I suspect feared (?) went of this kind from his great anxiety to sell his stock and purchase Land.” With our correspondent’s reference to Admiral Linois’ capture of ‘British Indianmen’ we can date this fascinating letter to between 1803 and 1806, near the outset of the extended Napoleonic Wars. While our correspondent expresses fear of the collapse of Britain, England would continue to stand against the expanding French Empire with a revolving set of European allies until the Sixth coalition restored the French monarchy and exiled Napoleon to Elbe in 1814. A fascinating firsthand account of this turbulent period at a very dangerous point in England’s history.

Abbott Laurence (1792 – 1855). American businessman, politician and philanthropist. Founder of Lawrence, Massachusetts. ALS. 1 page. Boston, July 3, 1841. To John T. Adams, Washington, D.C. “I enclose a lwtter to Mr. Webster which please read and seal and send it to him or present it in person if you prefer it. We have nothing new here, Yours Truly, Abbott Lawrence” Folds. Fine.

Abbott Laurence (1792 – 1855). American businessman, politician and philanthropist. Founder of Lawrence, Massachusetts. ALS. 1 page. Boston Dec. 14th, 1849. To Henry C. Wiley, Esq., Saxton’s River, Vermont.; “I received your note in due course of mail and beg to state in reply that I believe General Taylor will redeem all the pledges we have made for him in the late political canvas. Please accept the assurances with which I remain dear sir, Your faithful obt. Servt. Abbott Lawrence” Folds. Fine

Autograph Letter Signed, “Geo. Haven.” Three pages, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”. Meriden, MA. October 4, 1849. Addressed on integral leaf to “Liberty F. Thurber, Washington Vt.” Haven comments upon a suicide and later writes, in part: “ … Politics is what I don’t have much to do with now for I am drove very hard with study and finally I never had much to do with them. You seem to laugh because the Whigs & Abolitionists got beat last Spring. If you had minded the State vote last spring you should have found that Colby the Whig candidate gained about three thousand while Berry the abolition candidate lost to a great rate … the Mexican War raised considerable excitement this way. How it will terminate I cannot tell. I am for the Wilmot Proviso. No more slave territory. The Democrats in this State are against eh Wilmot Proviso. You are aware that the 1st & 3rd District sent a Whig & Abolitionist Representative last June. N.H. has now one Abolition Senator, one Democrat, two Democrat Representatives, one Abolitionist & one Whig. So they are even in the House & Senate …”

ARTHUR KENNEDY. (1914 –1990) was an American stage and film actor best known for his performances in Westerns. ALS. 1pp. 6" x 9 1/2". Hotel Algonquin. April 11, 1947. An autograph letter signed by Arthur Kennedy to PIC magazine editor Victor Wagner: "May I express my appreciation for being included in the PIC honor roll. I shall be delighted to accept your luncheon invitation on May 16th." The piece is in extremely fine condition overall with dark ink.