A Pennsylvania Letter Mentioning The Infamous Know-Nothings: Joseph Sniveley Still Continues The Irish BusinessThe Know Nothings Had A Great Meeting In Town About Two Weeks Since

THE KNOW-NOTHING PARTY (AKA THE AMERICAN PARTY). The nativist, anti-Catholic Know-Nothing Party was founded in New York City in 1849 and quickly reached national prominence. The members pledged to combat the Catholic Church and due to the secrecy of the organization, the members claimed to Know Nothing about the group. In the elections of 1854 and 1855, the party carried a number of elections in New England and the border states. In 1856, former President Millard Fillmore ran for President as a Know-Nothing, but could only carry Maryland. The party soon ended with the continued prominence of slavery as a national issue, combined with the failure of the 1856 Presidential election.ALS. 4pg. July 7, 1855. No place [Chambersburg, Pennsylvania]. An autograph letter signed Matthew A. Gordon. He wrote to his brother: Joseph Sniveley still continues the Irish business on a small scale he has had a great deal of trouble with some of them as there is a demand for them he still has them brought on. D F has three of them one woman and the two he had when you were here. Father has one boy about the size of John not quite so stout as John is. John Laughlin has one boy and is gone to Chambersburg for a woman to day. The Know Nothings had a great meeting in town about two weeks since. I began to think that the woman were all getting to be Know Nothings to. Mr David Robison delivered an address and the ladies presented him with a very handsome Bible Sarah Waddell was to deliver an address but her courage failed about the time she was to arise. I heard she got nothing said but bible they had thirty one ladies to represent the different states and one old black woman to represent Virginia. The letter is in fine condition with the usual mailing folds.