Frontiersman, politician and folk hero, he became famous for his shrewd and humorous speeches; he was killed at the Alamo. ALS, one page, lightly-lined, 7.75 x 12.5, September 30, 1835. Letter to a group of 23 named gentlemen in reply to an invitation to a social dinner. In full: “In answer to your kind note inviting me to partake of a public dinner this day at the Planters Hotel I am compeld [sic] to accept your invitation from a sense of gratitude which I feel at all times willing to acknowledge to my old frinds & constituents.
I have anounced [sic] through the news papers that I never expect to offer my name again to the public for any office is one great reason of my acceptance of your kind offer. I hope to spend the evening in a social manner leaving politics out of the question, as I hope never again middle my former political course is known to the public and I have not changed.” The list of the recipients of this letter begins in the lower left of the letter and extends on to the reverse. Reverse of second integral page is docketed in an unknown hand, “Col. Crocket [sic] reply. Answer to an invitation to Col Crocket [sic] to a social dinner when on his way to Pontotock in 1835. Fell at the Alamo in Texas.” Page also bears a couple mathematical computations.
In very good to fine condition, with a couple brushes to text (one next to the signature), a uniform shade of toning, a bit heavier to edges, a few edge chips, and a couple light spots.
Crockett wrote this letter the same day Texans rebuffed Mexican demands to relinquish the cannon that became the symbol of the "Come and Take It" flag, beginning the Texas War of Independence. Here, Crockett removes himself from the political foray after over a decade in the Tennessee legislature and U.S. Congress. After the publication of his autobiography failed to bolster his political repute and as a result of his Anti-Jacksonian positions, Crockett lost his seat in Congress in 1835. Devastated, he renounced politics in the wake of his defeat. "I told the people of my district that I would serve them as faithfully as I had done,” Crockett said shortly before he left Tennessee, “but if not…you may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas."
A month after accepting this invitation, Crockett left his home near Rutherford, Tennessee, to begin a new life in Texas, arriving in Nacogdoches in January 1836. He signed an oath to the Texas Provisional Government and set out for San Antonio in February. At the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, Crockett fell defending Texas independence. An exceptional letter of great rarity and desirability, written at a pivotal time period and among the last letters Crockett ever wrote—only two other letters are known to postdate this one. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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