War-dated ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, April 16, 1863. Letter to an unidentified gentleman marked “Private,” at the top. In part: “Let me remind you that on the 5th July the Confiscation Bill had not been agreed upon between the two Houses. The Senate had adopted one Bill & the House another; that of the House being a thorough Emancipation Bill, reported by Mr. Eliot of Mass.…this criticism fell positively upon the House of Reps, as it also fell upon a large number of the Senate. There are other passages which should be noted. (1) No expression of harshness among slavemongers. (2) debate ‘any opposing moral principles’ that is slavery. (3) ‘the condition of slavery will remain just the same in the several states, whether the Revolution succeed or fail’…As long as this record remains what can be expected? Besides, our cause was surrendered when these things were written.” In fine condition, with a couple of small pencil notations to front page. At the outset of the Civil War, Sumner and other radical senators pushed for the immediate emancipation of all slaves. Reluctant to do so, President Lincoln and Congress instead passed two Confiscation Acts in 1861 and 1862, which allowed the Union Army to free only confiscated slaves, falling short of Sumner’s ultimate and very public goal. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued four months before writing this letter, Sumner was still dissatisfied with the government’s inability to end slavery, which he saw as the primary objective of the war. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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