688

JAMES SULLIVAN

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
JAMES SULLIVAN
(1744 - 1808) American Revolutionary, a member of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety who later pressed for adoption of the Constitution. Fine political content A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., Boston, June 27, 1805 to Governor John Langdon of New Hampshire discussing the machinations of the Federalists, then in control of Massachusetts. "I congratulate you on the agreeable session of your legislature you have lately had and on the pleasant situation of your state generally. We are in a very fortunate situation in Massachusetts. A majority of thirteen carries all the important political questions on the side of Federalism. This thirteen is carved out of the twenty for Boston representatives. The governor has a majority of 600, formed out of exactly that majority of votes in Boston. The L[ieutenant] governor is factitiously produced[?] by address against a majority of votes -- the council are chosen by the thirteen. The President of the Senate by a majority of one. The Speaker by that of Seven-- After our election was over, in a letter to Mr. Jefferson, I mentioned to him, that I had met an enemy on ground where I never had expected to and, on a charge against my moral character, and on one against my official conduct. I added that that there were no change in offices, however, respectable to allure me. but I should remain the object of their abuse until I had assurance that someone was agreed on by the republicans, in whim there could be at least as great an union. I also mentioned to him, that they had lately suggested, that he had no confidence in me ... The tale last mentioned came from that bitter old villain Jo Blake. He is a bitter old fellow, and had no complaint against me besides my having called on him about five years since for an indisputable note of hand - but his assertions gain credit from his son's being district attorney and a pretended republican. He will try hard to get his father into office in the custom house where a vacancy is expected, but such an appointment by Mr. Jefferson would verify all his slanders and would essentially insure the republican cause with us-- but i did not include to make any communication to the president of the occasion..." Langdon had just recently been re-elected to the New Hampshire governorship in June 1805 after being ousted by Sullivan's Federalist brother, John Sullivan in 1789. James Sullivan would be elected governor in 1807, but would only serve a year before dying in office. With integral transmittal leaf addressed in Sullivan's hand bearing a red "BOSTON Ms JUN 28" cancellation. Some marginal wear, usual folds, else fine.

Estimate: $300 - 400.

Download Our Current PDF Auction Catalog

Part I: Lots 1-979 - September 27th, 2012

Part II: Lots 980-1845 - September 28th, 2012