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Samuel Houston Autograph Letter Signed. ...
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$6,250.00
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Description
Democratic Senator Sam Houston declines to address a convention in New Hampshire meant to rally local support for Franklin Pierce, feigning "arrangements to join my fellow citizens at a number of other gatherings of a similar character in different states"
Samuel Houston Autograph Letter Signed. Two pages of a
bifolium, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches, Washington; August 5, 1852. A
letter to John H. George, chairman of the Democratic State
Convention in New Hampshire declining to speak at their convention
being held on August 19. In part: "... I assure you that it
would afford me sincere pleasure to comply with this kind
invitation, but the pressure of other engagements must be my excuse
for declining. At the time when your Convention is to be held, I
shall be, health permitting, in Pennsylvania and as soon as the
session closes I have made arrangements to join my fellow citizens
at a number of other gatherings of a similar character in different
states." Houston wishes the Convention great success and adds
his unwavering support to the Party: "...my earnest prayer for
the success of Democratic principles which in my opinion will be
secured by the election of its champions 'Pierce & King.'"
Signed, "Sam Houston," adding an elaborate paraph.The main purpose of the August 1852 Democratic Mass Convention in New Hampshire was to campaign for Franklin Pierce (their nominee) during the presidential election, so in effect, Houston was declining to campaign for Pierce. Houston had considered running for president that year, and although he had national recognition for his role in the Texas Revolution and was a sitting US Senator, his moderate and often anti-slavery stance left him at odds with many Southern Democrats who were pushing for more pro-slavery policies. Although Houston publicly supported Pierce, he never actively campaigned for him, despite claims in this letter to have "made arrangements to join my fellow citizens at a number of other gatherings of a similar character in different states."
Houston left the Democratic Party in 1854, primarily due to his strong opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which was supported by the Party and signed into law by Pierce. The Act allowed the expansion of slavery into new territories based on popular sovereignty. He eventually aligned himself with the American Party (Know-Nothing Party) and later the Constitutional Union Party, reflecting his ongoing commitment to preserving the Union and his opposition to the expansion of slavery.
Condition: Flattened folds with minor separations at the margins. Strip of mounting remnant on verso. Miniscule paper loss at integral fold. Small ink stain at bottom of second page not affecting any text. Toning along folds, and light soiling throughout. Three pencil notations including one at the top of the first page that has been partially erased.
Auction Info
2024 September 25 Historical Manuscripts Including Texana Signature® Auction #6305 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2024
25th
Wednesday
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