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Hezekiah Niles Autograph Letter Signed....
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Description
Niles predicts the looming division of the Union: "the question of slavery will make the division line, depend upon it"
Hezekiah Niles Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 8 x 13 ½
inches; Baltimore, September 12, 1820. A remarkable political
content letter anticipating the Civil War 41 years in advance from
one of the most influential and important publishers of his day.
"At last I begin almost to despair of the republic & much as I
have repelled the idea of a dissolution of the union being within
the scope of probabilities, I now apprehend that it will happen, &
fear yet that I may live to see it come to pass." To an unnamed
correspondent, signed "H. Niles" at conclusion.Niles founded his important newspaper Niles' Weekly Register in 1811, and published it until 1836. The paper was the most widely circulated of its time, and as such exerted considerable influence in the spheres of politics and culture alike. It is said that Niles predicted the Civil War as early as 1820, and in this fine letter, no less.
Niles writes, in substantial part: "...This is the anniversary of our little 'fight' [the Battle of Baltimore fought during the War of 1812] with the enemy near this place...I am writing you a few lines of recognition & remembrance, though I have nothing especial to say: Your last noticed the Missouri case. At last I begin almost to despair of the republic & much as I have repelled the idea of a dissolution of the union being within the scope of probabilities, I now apprehend that it will happen, & fear yet that I may live to see it come to pass. Clannish spirits are at work to create separate interests. As yet the spirit of party prevents the full Union of the middle & east & free...states that exist in the south, but this is dying away, & when it expires, & section is fully arrayed against section, we shall have a fearful time of it. The tobacco & cotton plantations are hastening this by their amenity to the arrangement of domestic industry, so needful to the grin growing counties, & besides they have been so used to governing that they will not be easy under government; & the damnable state of slavery & the principle which grows out of it, is repulsive, that those opposed to the practice are losing their affection that they formerly held. I saw a copy of a letter of Mr Jefferson to John Holmes of Maine in regard to the Missouri affair, which I wish never had been written. He thanks Holmes for his exertions! - or something like it. I was not allowed to take a copy. I would have pursued the middle ground & let what is past expire. In obtaining new possessions if ultimately we should ever obtain any, the question of slavery will make the division line. Depend upon it."
The "Missouri case" Niles references is the Missouri Compromise which had passed into law in March 1820. The Compromise aimed to maintain balance between slave and free states, and allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state as well as establishing a geographical line across the former Louisiana Territory prohibiting slavery north of said line (with the exception of Missouri). Thomas Jefferson's letter to John Holmes on April 22, 1820 famously expressed his concerns about the future of the nation due to the contentious issue of slavery. He referred to the Missouri Compromise as a "fire bell in the night." Much like Jefferson, Niles here shares his concerns that the Compromise is but a temporary solution that would eventually result in the dissolution of the Union. Niles is an uncommon autograph and it is hard to imagine a more significant letter from this important publisher.
Condition: Old tape repair to top right corner, transmittal folds and a tiny bit of loss to left margin, not costing text. Additional bits of loss along right at folds. Stray foxing and light staining. Minor tears to cover fold.
Auction Info
2024 April 5 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6285 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2024
5th
Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
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