Fascinating Israel Washburn Letter, Including Tremendous Civil War Content: Washburn Asks <i> "Does He Believe In the Christianity of Slavery?" </i>

Book Description

Washburn was an American lawyer and politician. While a member of the House of Representatives from 1851-1861, he took measures to help organize the new Republican political party. He was also governor of Maine from 1861-62. <P> ALS. 2pg. 8" x 9 ‰¾". July 9, 1861. Augusta, ME. An autograph letter signed <I>"<B>I.W.B.</B>"</I> and addressed to <B>Massachusetts Congressman Thomas Dawes Eliot</B>: <I>"Oh that cold water! Wouldn't it be refreshing in the cold old Grimes room where the sun never shines when it ought not. Give my love to Grimes, & my living love to Deborah, & all the ladies you remember as 'of ours' in the days when K Street was glorified. Maud reads your letter & I have been... The gales that from ye blow 'like momentary blips bestow' - Has Sedgwick caved? - Will he support the Crittenden Compromise? Does he believe in the Christianity of Slavery? Does he regard Burnett's voice as musical?...Have his faculties been expanded into a capacity for liking the fugitive slave law? If elected Speaker could he beat Grow on an inaugural? When... is the journey to the land of fair use... to be made? But never forever was a poor Executive so tried, troubled, worked & worried as I... Maud is widow. But these are glorious times... "</I>. The letter includes references to <B>General John Sedgwick</B> (1813-1864), a distinguished Union commander, the <B>Crittenden Compromise</B>, a last-ditch effort to resolve the problem of secession, and the <B>Fugitive Slave Law</B> that curtailed the ability of slaves to escape to freedom. The letter is in fine condition with the expected mailing folds, the central of which is slightly separating, and a heavy binding at the left margin that links the letter with a second blank page of different paper

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