An eclectic assortment of letters from the cognate Moreland and Speer families, with some input from the Silvey and Amoss families. The highlight of this lot is a fine correspondence of over 30 letters, mostly antebellum, from Dr. John Moreland of Heard County, a physician and State Senator. True to his family’s position, he was a staunch supporter of the ineffectual Franklin Pierce, writing a paean to the president in 1855 that includes a headlong assault on the American (Know Nothing) Party:
“But there are enemies, secret & open, deadly opposed to the Administration, sworn to defeat the Democratic party & pledged to build up a great National American Party--a gigantic Party, the ruling principle of which is that 'Americans shall will America.' This party is now seeking to become a mammoth engine & as such, if successful, we can but apprehend it will be for woe… It sprang Phoenix like from the ashes of the defunct Northern Whig Party & in its resuscitation it has had incorporated with it a great deal of the rottenness & scum of Northern 'Denmark.'… It seeks to violate the constitution of the United States with impunity in making a religious test as a qualification to office &c then denying that the Constitution forbids it. It stands as the counterpart of the Alien laws… The principles of the democratic party are liberal, tryue & solid. The Abolitionists & Fillibusters are unsuitable companions for that National Democratic Party which we admire & love. The one would place the degraded African in a position that requires the exercise of all the intelligence and virtue and self control of the refined & educated. The other would drive into theoretical republicanism, but practical anarchy, the superstitious slave of ignorance, & the timid victim of despotism…"
Also included is a fine letter to Moreland offering to nominate him for a seat in the legislature (1851), a letter from Moreland regarding seeking office (1855), one from a manufacturer offering to construct a cotton gin for Moreland (1852), a personal letter from a friend recovering from hard times in Arkansas, a letter of recommendation for a "soldier & officer of the late Creek War, & well skilled in discipline & tactics" (1852), and a lengthy letter on a new instrument (apparently a piano) and the benefits of tuning (1857).
Of special note is an exceptionally rare 8 x 12 medical broadside. A "Medical Notice," advertising the new partnership of Drs. White, Moreland, and Brother, Corinth, Ga., Dec. 1854. The broadside features two small engraved vignettes depicting scenes of healing in the ancient world and makes special note that White was educated at the medical school in New York and was currently "at the North, attending an extra course of Medical lectures for the purpose of more fully familiarizing himself with Medical Chemistry, Practical Surgery, and Miry." Accompanying the broadside is a printed two page circular (circa 1855) from DeGray and Co. of New York, advertising medicines such as the "nervo-electric pills" and "remedy for deafness”; five handbills for a new medical invention, the Dentophone, advertising "The Deaf Hear Through the Teeth!”
Other family members contribute letters that resonate with the main themes of Speer’s life. A native of Corinth, Ga., Sarah Amoss offered her opinions on politics (Aug. 1841): "The people in this section of country do nothing but quarrel about the next presidential election. I believe the Ladies take as active part as the gentlemen, some of them fall out and fight like fury. At a camp meeting not far from this there were two ladies fell out about politicks. One struck a pair of scissors in the other, and she in a short time after expired. I never understood whether it was the Vanburenite or the Harrisonite that was killed. I am in hopes it was the Vanburenite…"
Rounding out the collection is a copy of Daniel N. Speer’s will, a printed family record for the Speer family (1872) and an extensive set of notes and essays on Speer family history. Four boudoir card photographs depict the lavish interior of the Speer mansion in Atlanta, while their vacation spot appears in the form of a flyer from the Clifton Springs Sanitarium, that includes rules for eating and exercising, and a complete menu. In very good overall condition. RRAuction COA.
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