AMOS LINCOLN. (1753-1829). American officer during the Revolutionary War. Manuscript Document Signed, “Amos Lincoln Capt.” One page, 9 ½” x8”. Boston. January 1, 1781. The document is a return of “the company of Matrosses [Matrosses were Gunners' Assistants whose duties included guarding the guns and wagons on the march and assisting when breakdowns occurred] in the Service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commanded by Captain Amos Lincoln…” An inspired patriot, Amos Lincoln was among the brave men who disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians and destroyed numerous crates of imported tea during the Boston Tea Party. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Amos served as a private in Stark’s regiment at Bunker Hill before attaining the rank of Captain in Craft’s Artillery Regiment, in which capacity he commanded Castle William in Boston Harbor for a time. In addition to these posts, Amos also served at Bennington, Brandywine and Monmouth during America’s struggle for independence. Outside of his varied military experiences, Amos was married to two daughters of fellow patriot Paul Revere and was aide to Massachusetts’ governor John Hancock. Slight separation at folds and some paper loss at bottom edge. Else Fine.

[NAZI GERMANY]. Archive of 78 items congratulating Hermann Goering and his wife, Emma, on the birth of their daughter, Edda, in 1938. HERMAN GOERING (1893-1946), a noted World War I flying ace, rose through the Nazi ranks to become the second most powerful man in Germany, only answering to Adolf Hitler. Goering was at the height of his popularity with the German public when his second wife gave birth to their only child. This event was highly publicized and resulted in a torrent of cards and letters from well-wishers. The items in this group are of varying sizes up to 8” x 10” and degrees of quality, ranging from simple penned notes to embossed full color cards. Many of the greetings, be they from Party officials or grandmothers, close with “Heil Hitler!”. One post card in particular stands out in that it shows the familiar needle and globe from the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Datelined Flushing, Long Island, the card was written by a German- American who was probably a member of the pre-war Bund. Another signed “The heavily wounded in war Max Kierling, Heil Hitler!” On the back of a cherub angels greeting with hearts: “We wish that your little girl turns out like you: So German, So true, and So loved, like you. Dear Uncle Herman, could we please visit and see your little child…Dear Uncle Herman, Please say Yes!” Found with this was a note that read: “Cards and letters from a German Castle Taken by a pilot during World War II”. Each greeting is housed in its own sleeve along with a translation. Overall Very Fine.

George William Curtis. ALS. 1pp. 4 1/2" x 7". Staten Island. 15 April 1887. An autograph letter signed by George William Curtis: "The engagement of which I spoke is to the first Thursday of May - but I am sure that the end of the month would not be too late for your purpose". The letter has very light toning and is in fine condition overall.

Philip Livingston (1716 – 1778). Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New York. ADS. 1 page. 7 ¾” x 3 ¾” mounted to a larger sheet measuring 8 ½” x 4 ½”. Albany, April 23 , 1743. “Received from James Stevenson City and County Tresr. Six pounds nineteen shillgs. And six pence allowed me by the supervisors for fees on the tryel of Jaques ( ) recpt. Phil. Livingston” Fine.

CALVIN COOLIDGE (1872-1933), President of the United States. Typed Letter Signed, “Calvin Coolidge,” on The White House, Washington letterhead. One page, 7” x 9 1/8”. Washington, D.C. November 7th, 1923. Accompanied by original The White House, Washington envelope with “Washington D.C.” postal cancellation. Coolidge writes: “ My dear Mrs. Packard: You will do me a real favor, if you will convey to the members of the Woman’s Record Club, on the occasion of the Gold Star Mother’s Memorial Day Services, my tribute of sympathy and highest esteem. Of all, who have made sacrifices in the country’s service, I know none to whom a greater need of affection and sympathy is due, than to the mothers who gave their sons … ” Fold reinforced. Else Very Fine

“No one except my husband had ever seen it, for I write so peculiarly that it would have been difficult for anyone to make heads or tails of it. I started at the back and wrote toward the front.” Margaret Mitchell (1900 – 1949). American author who received the Pulitzer Prize in 1937 for her epic novel Gone with the Wind. TLS. 2 ½ pages. Atlanta, Georgia. March 11, 1938. On her imprinted stationary to Mrs. Katherine P. Howard. Atlanta, Georgia. March 11, 1938. “Thank you for your lovely letter, for it gave me so much pleasure. I am so glad you finally decided to write to me. No indeed, letters such as yours are certainly no “burden.” I am so glad you liked “Gone With the Wind.” I am still somewhat bewildered at its success and I do not believe I will ever become accustomed to it. If I had sold a bare five thousand in Georgia I would have been pleased and delighted. (Before publication my very nice husband cheered me by saying that of course I would sell five thousand because, to his certain knowledge, I had at least five thousand cousins, and that did not take them in beyond the fourth degree of kinship!) So, when it was read in the North and abroad I just couldn’t take it in, and I am still like the Queen in “Alice in Wonderland” and believe six impossible things before breakfast.” “I kept up with you through Cousin Marion. He always told me the news of you and your family, and I felt somehow close to you. He brought John over to see us and we liked him so much. And on the occasion of Cousin Marion’s death we met John’s wife, who, we thought, was charming.” “No, Cousin Marion had never read any of the book. No one except my husband had ever seen it, for I write so peculiarly that it would have been difficult for anyone to make heads or tails of it. I started at the back and wrote toward the front. On hearing this Cousin Marion sensibly decided that he would wait till it was published. I talked of many things in the book to him and asked about many social customs in the old days and about old Atlanta landmarks. I owe “The Girl of the Period Saloon,” mentioned in “Gone With the Wind,” to him. I am sorry now that I did not describe the wooden effigy of the Girl of the Period which stood in front of the Saloon. Cousin Marion described her in detail, even remembering the saucy flat hat which came down over her eyes and was tied with ribbons under her curls and ornamented by a squirrel with a long, curling tail. I am so very sorry he did not live to know that the book went over well.” “We were very close during the last two years of his life. He lived just around the corner from us and, regularly as a clock on Wednesday night at seven-thirty, he appeared, beautifully groomed, vest piped with white pique, cane in his hand and a flower in his buttonhole. He was an eternally young person and when I joined the Studio Club ehre in Atlanta he joined too. John, my husband, was working at night that year and was unable to take me to night meetings. To Cousin Marion the idea of my taking a taxi alone after nightfall and going to town was shocking, so he escorted me. He was the oldest Club member and everybody loved him so dearly. He reached the stage where he frequently went to sleep during the meetings, and everyone on the program would talk softly and after he woke up never even hint that he had been asleep. He was such a lot of fun and I am so glad to have known him so well. I felt a little closer to him than to many of my cousins because he was Mother’s godfather and she was so fond of him.” “Your life, as you described it, sounds like a grand life. And, to be quite frank, I will be very happy when the day finally arrives when I can go back to doing such things as you write of doing – going to concerts, seeing friends and paying some attention to the charities which interest me.Thanks again for your letter, and please give my regards to your family. Affectionately, Peggy” In the wake of her success of her novel, Mitchell wrote a number of letters to friends and acquaintances mentioning aspects of the story. This letter reveals that she wrote the book in a backwards fashion, in keeping with the documented fact that she wrote the last chapter first. Superb content. Some light discoloration at left. Fine.

RICHARD CASWELL (1729-1789) First governor of North Carolina, representative to the Continental Congress of 1774 and 1775 and the commander of N.C. militia at the Battle of Camden. Document Signed, “R. Caswell.” One page, 9” x 13 1/2”. Kinston. May 11, 1785. The document reads, in part:

“ This Certifies that William Blount Esq. late paymaster - General of Militia of this state exhibited his account into the Comptrollers Office, upon oath, whereby it appears that he charged for £300,000 paper dollar money lost on the 16th of August 1780. Which at 175 for 1 (being the rate at which the Money was charged him in his former account settled in this office) amounts to £1714.5.4 For his service in Congress 2 months at £80 per month … and for the amount of Major General Caswell’s supplementary account …. ”

This historic document is also signed on verso by WILLIAM BLOUNT (1749-1800) U.S. Statesman. Blount served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention for North Carolina, was the first and only governor of the Southwest Territory and a Senator for Tennessee. In addition, he was the first U.S. Senator to be expelled from the Senate and the only Senator expelled outside of the Civil War.

During the Revolutionary War, William Blount served as regimental paymaster for the 3rd North Carolina Regiment. In this capacity, he fought alongside Washington’s main army in the defense of Philadelphia, an important battle that helped convince France to support the Revolution openly. Following this engagement, Blount returned home, serving first as chief paymaster of state forces and later as deputy paymaster general for North Carolina.

Upon the fall of Charleston, South Carolina, Blount helped to organize and serve with a North Carolinian militia. As a member of the North Carolina militia under the command of this document’s other signer, Richard Caswell, he was present at the disastrous battle of Camden on August 16, 1780. At this battle, General Horatio Gates hastily engaged British forces under Charles Cornwallis, and, due in large part to the untrained nature of the North Carolinian militia, saw his forces decimated in less than one hour. In the ensuing confusion, General Gates hastily departed the field along with many of his men, leaving behind not only seven guns, but also all American stores and baggage, a heavy loss that included the staggering sum of £300,000 noted in this document.

A fine document with a great association of two prominent North Carolina figures present at the disastrous Battle of Camden. A few minor pinholes. Some slight toning, not affecting legibility. Document tipped at edges to a paper frame, not affecting overall aesthetics. Very Fine.

AN HISTORIC LETTER WRITTEN TO PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR WARNING HIM OF AN IMPENDING ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

"I have always done my duty. I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me."

For over 150 years, there has been controversy regarding the untimely death of the twelfth president of the United States, Zachary Taylor. Well-known nationally for his heroic victories during the Mexican-American War, Taylor returned from the conflict to public adulation. As such, he was well positioned for a run at the presidency, which he easily secured in the first election held simultaneously in all states. The national political scene was treacherous indeed and Taylor immediately found himself embroiled in the divisive controversy over the expansion of slavery to which he was opposed.

This slavery issue, as well as a dangerous state of relations with Great Britain which had existed in the previous few years leading up to his election created a highly volatile and emotionally charged political environment both at home and abroad.

The landscape was littered with potential enemies, political and otherwise. It was long held that Taylor was a victim of a well placed assassin. Many had postulated that he was poisoned with arsenic. In 1991, after years of debate, his body was exhumed. Scientific examination concluded that there was no evidence suggesting he was murdered, however some scholars insist the debate is still open.

While the medical examinations may have concluded otherwise, one of the letters offered herein penned by an anonymous, well-placed official in the Polk administration certainly fuels the possibility that the debate over Taylor’s death remains open. This fascinating and historic letter provides further insight into one of the most mysterious American Presidential controversies in history at a time of great danger for the fledgling nation.

[Zachary Taylor] 1850. New York. 8pp. Written anonymously to President Zachary Taylor one year into his presidency. The letter writer, obviously in a high and powerful position in the government, sends a warning to Taylor of evil conspiracies, plots to destroy the country and assassination. This lengthy and highly important letter offers such fantastic detail and insight into the dangerous political environment of the period that we have recited it in its entirety.

“It seems necessary to inform you I trust I shall be sufficiently (intelligible).

While Bulwer is at Washington persons in private circles are there whose influences could be readily used to divert the attention of government from an investigation or impede its action. Emissaries have been out lately to assassinate a citizen of this country.

Since about the 3rd of this month he has been in great peril. It is believed that a kind of management through the press and paid writers is designed to cover and obscure the question, which is both vitally and practicably allied to the mode of opposition to the coconspiratory and evil purposes entertained by the existing interest — the existing order of things in England. It will be well to mark the influences upon the press closely.

As a citizen I have a right, and it is my duty to write my sentiments plainly to you. With true lights before you it is my belief that your own strong mind will direct things aright.

Persons who would attempt to defraud the people of their rights, by hired voters in this country, are quite as bad, in my opinion, as those who are base enough to be employed to commit perjury when giving their votes.

Mr. Clayton can answer you whether or not any persons are now in his confidence who were accused of what was termed pipe laying in 1840, in New York. If their should be, allow me to suggest, that your Excellency satisfy yourself as to the as to the justness of those allegations, before yielding weight to their opinions, in any thing - If true, it is probable, that some of the persons were got into the Scrape unreflectingly, at dinners or suppers and did not appreciate the extent of the designs or know the source from which they originated.

The origin of the affair was in England. If the project had succeeded, the happiness and interests of the people of this country would have fallen beneath a system of financial complexities and false elections. The plan to mar this country, tributory to the maintenance of the English system by auxiliary complexities and disorganization, failed.

In that period, as now, attempts were made to destroy the male representative of the exiled family, the other branch in this country was in against him, by some secret arrangement.

A person who had been employed and knew some part of the intrigues, said he never saw the play of Richelieu without being reminded of the affair. I had not then seen the play, or at least had no recollection that I had seen or read it - I obtained a copy, and upon reading was forcibly reminded of its analogy, in many respects. That there are conspiratory papers, I do not doubt. An important part of them, might, I think, upon one occasion have been obtained, provided that there had been a healthy and efficient action, in the police and magisterial departments to set out with. It is quite certain to me, that there is nothing encompassing in those departments in this City unsupported by the application of means and strong influences.

I think it was in 1845, passing by a book shop, a man stept from the door with an extra newspaper in hand, just after an arrival – and desired me to go with him, or send some person with him, to the Virginia Springs. He said that there was a person there, who had papers in his trunk, of utmost consequence – that the possession of them was of utmost consequence, and that they would implicate persons of highest respectability in this City.

His own signature was upon a paper in this mans possession: he had been employed by this man to assassinate me, had been much with him, and became in some manner possessed of secrets, beyond the point of assassination – the newspaper, which he held in his hand, contained a remark made by the Duke of Wellington, that the throne was in danger. I had held no conversation with this man, of a political character, what ——?.

I know he had been employed to assassinate me; that he had stated that this man not only had his signature with others to a banded gang, but that he had the signature of my brother in law and other persons, to other papers, and that there were persons on the other side of the Atlantic connected in the same manner. I cannot now question these statements in my own mind. The most strenuous and persevering yet cautious means have been used to test them. Where the labours of intelligence have prevailed to elicit facts in this case, the rack(?) might have failed. Yet did I move, or attempt to move one step, I should be called insane: headed; thus, at every point, and thus weaken the modes of defense, without obtaining aid or protection. The last news of the person who was then said to have been at the Springs in Virginia (was been ?) that he was in London, shouting with the nobility, at Crockfords.

There are reasons for the most profound and conspiratory proceeding and for my destruction preliminarily for the objects to be attained under those proceedings. No person who knows me will believe, I think, that I could be made an instrument in the hands of any persons to rivet the chains of a people to a system of financial Monarchy and Despotism; or that I could be brought into any secret or traitorous purposes towards the soil which has sheltered my father and afforded me its genial support. Of my existence is a hindrance to evil designs I shall endeavor to preserve it. The fact of its continuance is no evidence that attempts have not been made to deprive me of it; and, if the country is now safe, it is no evidence, it has not been in danger.

In 1845, there was a partial demonstration as if to touch the object of conspiracy; there was then organized gangs in this country sufficient to lay every Atlantic City in ashes; there was an English fleet at sea sufficient to strip the sea of our entire mercantile and naval marine, and blockade every port. Who will say that under such calamities, the public mind would not have staggered and reeled? The country was open to danger. The great fire in this City in 1845, I believe was the work of a gang so organized; there was a doubt on the minds of the conspirators as to what might be dared, or attempted in the then existing relations between the two countries. If an expose had been attempted to be forced by persons of weight and authority to carry it through, the direst consequences might then have ensued.

In July I think of 1845 the fire took place, and afterwards, in the same month the Unicorn Steamer lay for some time within Pistol Shot of the Battery. I do not know, that any thing has yet transpired, publicly as to the object of her visit. I think it was in August of that year Lord Palmerston, proposed to arm the militia of England. For What?

The Unicorn may have been here to carry away, or afford an asylum for evil persons; or to abduct me. I was so closely hunted at that time as to deem it scarcely prudent to sleep two nights at a place. I was alone, friendless, emaciated by care and almost distracted. If Mr. Polk was with you, he could not but say that I had done my duty to him and the country, without claiming protection beyond a voluntary and prudential disposition to grant it.

Had a war ensued, I should have been driven to the forest, and pursued for extermination, in order carry out the designs of conspiratory proceeding. If I had fallen by the assassins hand, the happenings and institutions of this country would as certainly have been assailed by future hands under those conspiratory designs as if the calamities of war had been hitherto, suddenly and treacherously imposed upon us, by an expose of the conspiracy itself and with the causes originating it, and the political secret and historical fact, so carefully concealed by the English Government, and so expensively guarded.

I send herewith the Atlas. An article - the concluding part - induces me to conjecture - that persons here may be employed, by the English Government through agencies here. It is my most earnest wish, Sir, that you may be enabled to see every thing, and misapprehend nothing.

/private/-

New York Jany 23, 1850”

The content of this detailed missive surely speaks for itself. In all likelihood, this dire warning to the president was penned by a highly placed member of the Polk administration, though we’ve been unable to determine who. This frightening letter surely would have been of grave concern to the president. When placed within the backdrop of the harsh political climate both at home and abroad, Taylor must have felt threatened at nearly every turn. This letter clearly demonstrates the conditions that existed to foster the long-held beliefs that Taylor may have been assassinated. While the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was signed in 1850 easing some of the tensions between the United States and Great Britain, political foes in favor of slavery’s expansion at home clearly abounded with motivation to carry out an attempt on the president’s life. This letter offers what is perhaps some of the most shocking political content to come to market in quite some time.

Sir Henry Moore (1713 – 1769). British Colonial leader, Royal governor of New York. Large DS. 1 page. 22” x 17”. “New York In America”. A detailed accounting of “His Majesty’s Letters Patents, Commencing The 29th Day Of September 1765 And Ending The 29th Day Of September 1766”. The document reveals detailed information by County as to the rents paid in Proclamation money on New York lands to the Crown. Payments made on the King’s warrants by the Commissioners of the Treasury are detailed. Countersigned at the lower right by Receiver General, Andrew Elliot (1728 – 1797). Lieutenant Governor of New York, Loyalist, Port Customs Collector, Receiver General. Loyalist. During the American Revolution, Elliot was one of the party of three who met with General Washington to plead for the life of British spy John Andre. A superb, historically informative early American Document signed by this two Colonial leaders. Folds. Fine.