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64

William Henry Harrison

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:25,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
William Henry Harrison

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Auction Date:2010 Jun 16 @ 10:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Bid online at www.rrauction.com. Auction closes June 16.

ALS signed “W. H. Harrison,” one page, lightly-lined, 6 x 7.5, November 17, 1833. Letter to an unidentified correspondent (former editor of the Hamilton Intelligencer). In full: “I took up a Hamilton Intelligencer given to me some 2 or 3 months ago printed in February last & was astonished to find an article taken from the Ky Intelligencer on the battle of Tippecanoe containing an account which no more resembled it than it did the battle of Granicus [Alexander the Great, 334 BC] & with all some long repeated calumnies against myself. I had not heard that you had given up the Editorship of the H. Ier & therefore began an article which I now draw to the Editor under the idea I was addressing you. As I was mistaken I have to ask the favour of you to use your influence with the Editor to have my article & the documents printed together & that you will be so obliging as to examine the proof sheet. My communication of the volunteers may be first published.” Trimmed lower left edge, small mounting remnant to reverse, and some light mirroring of ink, otherwise fine condition.

As Harrison’s name was once again becoming prominent in national politics, two decades after the battle, he writes to the editor of the Intelliger to set the record straight on certain particulars. Apparently, Harrison was concerned about the press blowing the battle out of proportion. Harrison defeated Tecumsah’s brother Tenskwatawa, and the defeat dealt a heavy blow to Tecumseh's efforts to build an Indian confederacy against the United States. Although Harrison was considered a hero, the battle resulted in the deaths of 188 American soldiers and an unknown number of Native Americans. On the larger stage, the Battle of Tippecanoe further fueled the tensions between Britain and the United States as many Americans blamed the British for inciting the tribes to violence. These tensions would come to a head in June 1812 with the outbreak of the War of 1812.

Twenty-nine years later, Harrison's nickname was used in a campaign song that would be remembered for generations. The song attempted to paint Harrison as a simple, homespun hero in contrast to wealthy incumbent Martin Van Buren. This contrast was the main focus of Harrison's campaign, which was known as the Log Cabin Campaign, painting Harrison as a man of the people. The public embraced the Log Cabin Campaign, and Tippecanoe and Tyler too. William Henry Harrison was elected the ninth president of the United States, but would sadly serve just 32 days in office. According to American Book Prices Current, this is the only William Henry Harrison letter ever offered mentioning the Battle of Tippiecanoe.
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