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Lot #189
Gerrit Smith

Gerrit Smith

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Estimate: $0+
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Description

Gerrit Smith

Staunch abolitionist (1797–1874) known to have financially supported John Brown's raid at Harpers Ferry. ALS, one page, 8 x 12.25, October 29, 1845. Letter to Colonel Reuben Sleeper, the president of the Livingston County Anti-Slavery Society. In full: “Accompanying this letter is a pamphlet entitled 'How to settle the Texas Question.' A few of us have undertaken a reliance in God to arouse the people to one more effort to keep slaveholding Texas out of our family of States. We want your help—and we hereby appoint you to take charge of this matter in your County. We beg you to consent without delay, with our friends around you, & to appoint a person in each town in your County, who shall see, that all the men & women in his Town have an opportunity to sign the remonstrance. We ought to send from this State alone hundreds of thousands of names to congress. Should it be impossible for you to give your attention to this matter, we wish you to select some person to act in your stead.” Addressed on the reverse of the second integral page in Smith’s own hand. Intersecting folds (one vertical fold passing through a single letter of the signature), overall wrinkling, a large stray ink mark affecting a single word, otherwise fine condition. Two weeks before Smith wrote this letter, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved annexation, a state constitution, and the annexation ordinance. At the end of December, Congress and President James K. Polk approved the resolution and Texas was admitted to the Union as a slave state. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #460 - Ended September 16, 2015





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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