LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25263

Francis Scott Key Letter Archive.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,875.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Francis Scott Key Letter Archive.
<B>Francis Scott Key Archive.</B></I> Four letters, 7.5" x 9" to 7.75" x 13", Georgetown, 1823-25. The crux of the archive is a letter written from Georgetown on September 9, 1823 to Reverend B. Allan. In full, the letter reads, "<I>Reverend and Dear sir - We have just received very encouraging letters from Ayres and Ashman, by the Liberian packet Fidelity which has just arrived, after a very quick passage - She left them all doing well late in July - which is a month later than the departure of the...Ayres informs us to send out a missionary and it is now high time to make our arrangements. If Mr. Nash cannot go, can we get any other? Somebody we must send in the vessel which we expect to dispatch in Nov. - We have (as I told you a Clergyman from N. England offering) but I express I shall regret it if Mr. Nash does not go. Do write to him and let me know his determination soon. Where is Hall (formerly of Washington) will he go if Nash does not go? I have directed a...paper to be sent to you containing some numbers I am writing on Col. can you get them published in your city? Would Mr. Nash publish them? Perhaps he would if the Bishop would ask him - He might be told that I was writing them and that nothing should appear in them at all offensive to him or the opinions which I am sorry he seems inclined to hold at present on that subject. His aid, or his neutrality ever would be important to us. His only objection is to the practicability of the scheme, and of this he may, as he sees one, be convinced. I am acquainted with him and have thought of writing to him; but the Bishop's speaking to him and telling him this (if he would be so obliging as to do it) would answer better. Very truly yours. FS Key.</B></I>" <BR><BR>The next letter written April 28, 1824 is in regards to plans for a meeting. "<I>...I wish you to see the other gentleman in Philadelphia and know whether they think it desirable to make an arrangement for that time...</B></I>" <BR><BR>A fascinating letter with slave content dated January 24, 1825 reads in part, "<I>Dear Sir, I remember the old man mentioned in your letter and his story. He is no danger from any legal measures that may be resorted to take the child away from him: and he did not inform me that there was any cause to apprehend that they would resort to force or stealth - though I can easily believe that those who would wish to take her away would not be scrupulous about the means. The paper and proof he has, are quite sufficient, there was no necessity for a more formal paper, now that it should be recorded- The only difficulty was as to his wife being the purchaser. But this I think of no consequence, as she would be considered as his agent and as making the purchase for him; and as he has been in possession of the child so long, they could not recover her from him by a suit - the statute of limitations would of itself be a bar to the claim. But his only danger is the one you suggest that they would steal the child away or get possession of her by force. To prevent this, I would recommend that a Bill - be filed, setting out the facts, and paying to have his title confirmed, and an injunction granted to prevent the party or his agent from any attempt to take her from his possession. - Judge Kilgore would, I am sure, grant such an injunction immediately...</B></I>" <BR><BR>The fourth letter in the archive is two pages and dated April 26, 1833. In part, the letter reads, "<I>Everything seems to be going on well - the President has been sick, but is now quite recovered. The Bank deposites</B></I> [sic] <I>I think will be withdrawn. I sincerely hope so, for I think they ought...Upton wrote me three or four days ago to ask a number of questions about the rights and duties of the Trustees, which I have not yet time to answer...His father, in a letterI gotthis evening, says, Upton has been...to the persons who have the funds and warned them not to pay his father any thing...</B></I>" A truly fascinating archive with rare content. Very good condition overall.
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