From: N.A. Booko
Sent: Mon, July 2, 2012 3:27:55 PM
Subject: Will Chatham County be final resting place of ‘1848 Political history in the making’ letter?
I have in my possession a letter dated 1848- that gives an eyewitness account of the funeral procession in New York City, for John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States. In the same letter, an account is given of a fund raising affair (presumably) for Martin Van Buren- (Van Buren was our 8th president in 1836 and was running again- he did not win and died in 1862)- Also mentioned is Henry Clay, American patriot and statesman
I obtained the letter in a box lot at a country auction in upstate New York in the mid 1960s- The papers were almost the entire collection of letters, bill-heads, invoices, sales records, insurance policies, etc. of a Green County General Store (Called Mercantile then) of H.R. Briggs. There was no postal service as we know it today- Letters were by ship, horse, stagecoach or locomotive. The writer of the letter is a Mr. Morris Smith- It is unclear as to his relationship with Mr. Briggs- could have been a close relative or a whole-seller that sold to Mr. Brigg’s big general store operation mid-way between New York City and Albany.
I have tried over the years to place this letter somewhere it would be on display and be appreciated by the public. I am sure there are many printed accounts of these events in books- but seldom do you encounter a personalized detailed handwritten account of American Political History in the making.
The letter is dated New York City March 10th (a couple of days after the death of John Quincy Adams)- Brown ink on parchment-like paper. In part it goes on to say- and I have used *** to denote words that can’t be made out.
New York March 10 48
Friend Briggs- *******
“Arrival of the honorable Mr. Clay *** the patriot of his country. And on the 8th the body of John Quincy Adams was brot in this city on his way to his native state- Mass. and it gave a sad and gloomy cast over all things- The procession formed at the Battery and marched thru Broadway ****city hall. It seemed melancholy to behold the hearse drawn by 8 grey horses and *** each horse trimmed with crape from head to hoof ****buildings were trimmed with crape and crape was flying from windows ***”
“Last night they gave a complementary ball- tickets were 5.00 and supper 3.00. The Honorable Martin Van Buren was present on the occasion. The expense of the house was 35.00. and the house was filled to the news of expected attendance of Mr. Clay and Mr. Van Buren. ***Mr. Clay kissing some of the ladies for a charge.” (presumably this was part of a fund raiser) ***************”
Respectfully yours, Moses Smith
Any history or political buffs out there have any suggestions? I have treasured and poured over this relic for for nearly 50 years- I do not want to take it with me to my grave- I have have many other things I wish to take – for example- My spare car key, a tiny, hallmarked miniature sterling candlestick- and my Christian Dior sun glasses . . . well maybe my Stetson cologne too.
N.A. Booko