PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS – CALIFORNIA GOLD MINES

“OLD ROUGH AND READY” ON DIVIDING UP THE RICH MINERAL LANDS OF CALIFORNIA
THE PRESIDENT PREDICTS FUTURE MAJOR CITIES ON THE WEST COAST
RECOMMENDS A RAILROAD TO CONNECT THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC
ALSO WANTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BRANCH MINT TO HANDLE THE CALIFORNIA GOLD

New York Weekly Tribune
Saturday, December 29, 1849

This remarkable 8-page newspaper contains Pres. Zachary Taylor’s Annual Message to Congress smack on the front page and continuing a bit on the last. Headed: “PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE,” the former military hero known as “Old Rough and Ready” refers to the frenzied California Gold Rush: “I recommend the establishment of a branch mint in California, as it will, in my opinion, afford important facilities to those engaged in mining, as well as to the Government in the disposition of the mineral lands.” (In 1854, the new San Francisco Mint would begin coining gold pieces–over $4 million dollars just the first year.) The President also recommends a railroad to join the East and West Coasts (completed in 1869 at Promontory Point, Utah), and then says the following: “The great mineral wealth of California, and the advantages which its ports and harbors…afford to commerce…make it certain that there will arise, in a few years, large and prosperous communities on our Western Coast.” (And, indeed, we now have Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and other “large and prosperous communities!”) The speech also talks about the possibility of constructing a ship canal through Nicaragua, the right of passage of gold miners and others to cross the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and Panama, agreed to in the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican War, the U.S. Navy (it’s fully manned), and his thoughts on the still ongoing (illegally) Atlantic Slave Trade and how to stop it!

8 pp., original and complete, and loaded with news and editorial comment, including a long judgement of President Taylor’s State of the Union. Fine condition–a truly fascinating journal to read…after almost 160 years!

$225

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

THE DADE MASSACRE IN FLORIDA

SEMINOLES COMPLETELY SLAUGHTER MAJOR DADE’S ENTIRE COMMAND!
“….every officer and man (excepting three survivors) were murdered and terribly mangled.”

Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, DC
Wednesday, January 27, 1836

Terrible news arrives from Fort Brooke (now Tampa), Florida. In part, “Major Dade, with seven officers and 110 men, started the day before we arrived, for Fort King (now Ocala). We were all prepared to overtake them the next day….when an intervention of circumstances deferred it for one day–and in the course of that day, three soldiers, horribly mangled, came into camp, and brought the melancholy tidings that Major Dade, and every officer and man, except themselves, were murdered and terribly mangled.”

Apparently, some five days into Major Dade’s march, he failed to deploy flanking guards as normal, and were ambushed by 180 Seminole Indians hiding behind pine trees and palmettos just off the road. Dade was killed in the first volley as were many of the officers and half the men. A defence was set up, but proved ineffective, and over the course of several hours, the Seminoles killed every man excepting three. This event helped kick off what became the Second Seminole War. Dade County, Florida, was named in honor of Major Francis Dade.

4 large pages, cut cleanly at spine for microfilming years ago at the Library of Congress. Very fine, clean condition with but a tiny hole in page three not affecting the Dade report. This is a beautiful newspaper of major historical importance, especially so to Floridians. It’s quite rare, too!

$550

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

DAVY CROCKETT REELECTED TO CONGRESS

HAD NO FORMAL EDUCATION, BUT “IS A MAN OF STRONG MIND, AND OF GREAT GOODNESS OF HEART.”

Niles’ Weekly Register, Baltimore, Maryland
September 7, 1833

This earlier precursor to modern news magazines such as “U.S. News” contains an interesting and supportive article on Congressman and future hero of the Alamo, Davy Crockett. It reads, in part, “Col. CROCKETT. A great deal has been said in the newspapers concerning col. Crockett, who has been again elected a memberof congress from Tennessee. It was the misfortune of the colonel to have received no school education in his youth, and since to have but little opportunity to retrieve that defect; but he is a man of a strong mind, and of great goodness of heart.” The article ends with, “We have been oftentimes asked ‘what sort of a man is colonel Crockett?’ and the general reply was–‘just such a one as you would desire to meet with, if any accident or misfortune had happened to you on the high way.'”

“THE EARTHQUAKE.” An earthquake strikes Virginia (there were quakes on the East Coast at this time)–this is an amazing report of the quake’s effect on a coal mine. In part, “The negroes in the pits being much alarmed by the earthquake, rushed at once to the mouth of the shaft…” One was so frightened, he grabbed onto a “corve” that was about to ascend, but missed, brutally killing him and another man.

16 pages, origina and complete, and in fine condition. Love that article on Crockett!

$127

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

NAT TURNER FINALLY CAPTURED AND IDENTIFIED!

THE NEGRO REVOLT IN SOUTHAMPTON, VIRGINIA–THE LEADER SPEAKS!

Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, DC
Monday, November 7, 1831

The news is confirmed that, “….the murderer, Nat Turner, has at last been taken and safely lodged in prison.” The historic report goes on to state, “The poor wretch, we learn, admits all that has been alleged against him–says that he has at no time been five miles from the scene of his atrocities; and that he has frequently wished to give himself up, but could never summon sufficient resolution!” (see scan for the entire report)

(Background: “Gen.” Nathaniel Turner (1800-1831), convinced that “visions” had called him to free his enslaved brothers and sisters, along with sixty or more slaves, indiscriminately massacred some sixty white men, women, and children, beginning with his own master. The state militia and other volunteers finally quelled the revolt and tracked down the slaves. Turner went into hiding and was not captured until October 30. From November 1-3, Turner was interviewed by his court-appointed attorney, Thomas R. Gray, who transcribed his notes into “Confessions” which served as a main source for the data on the rebellion. Nat and sixteen fellow slaves were tried and subsequently hanged on November 11.)

This superb DC newspaper is simply loaded with notices for Runaway Slaves, Slaves for Sale, and “Negroes Wanted.” It’s incredible to realize the slave trading that was an everyday occurrence in our Nation’s Capital!

Four large pages, and in very fine condition. It will give you many hours of historic entertainment and perspective, and serve as quite the conversation piece.

$450

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under African American History, All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

THOMAS JEFFERSON’S 1802 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

PRESIDENT JEFFERSON TALKS OF “REPURCHASING” LAND FROM THE INDIANS AND SETTING NEW “BORDERS” TO ENCOURAGE WHITE SETTLEMENT

The Connecticut Courant, Hartford
Wednesday, December 29, 1802

In a time of relative peace with European nations, the President notes the transfer of a huge territory that would have tremendous implications for the U.S. the following year: “The cession of the Spanish province of Louisiana to France, which took place in the course of the late war, will, if carried into effect, make a change in the aspect of our foreign relations, which will doubtless have just weight in any deliberations of the legislature connected with that subject.” In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase would be consumated in which America would gain the total area of the enormous territory,buying it from Napoleon, literally doubling its size with the stroke of a pen.

In regard to the Native American population in the East, Jefferson states: “In order to remove every ground of difference possible with our Indian neighbors, I have proceeded in the work of settling with them and marking the boundaries between us. That with Choctaw Nation is fixed in one part and will be through the whole within a short time. The country to which their title had been extinguished before the Revolution is sufficient to receive a very respectful population, which Congress will probably see the expediency of encouraging so soon as the limits shall be declared.”

THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION: Two reports from the beleagured island in the midst of the “Negro uprising” against the occupying European troops. The revolt would ultimately be successful under Toussaint Louverture and Henri Christophe.

Four pages, folio, and in very fine condition with original margins (deckled edges). A superb original newspaper with “THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE” beginning smack on page one, rolling over to the 2nd page, and signed, in type, “THOMAS JEFFERSON.” These early State of the Union messages have become next to impossible to locate.

$750

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, Early America

GEORGE WASHINGTON DIES AT MOUNT VERNON

DEATH AND FUNERAL OF THE BELOVED REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENERAL AND NATION’S FIRST PRESIDENT/FULL DETAILS OF HIS FINAL ILLNESS AND ATTEMPTED TREATMENT

Norwich Packet, Norwich, Conn.
Thursday, January 2, 1800

We are proud to present one of the rarest and most historic newspapers in the entire Mitchell Archives–an issue reporting both the death and funeral of our nation’s first president, George Washington. President John Adams starts it out with a short message transmitting to the Congress the first reports from Mount Vernon written by Tobias Lear. The President writes: “The letter here with transmitted will inform you, that it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life, our excellent fellow citizen GEORGE WASHINGTON, by the purity of his character and a long series of services to his country, rendered illustrious through the world. It remains for an affectionate and Grateful people, in whose hearts he can never die, to pay suitable honor to his memory. JOHN ADAMS.” Lear’s letter then summarizes Washington’s illness, closing with: “Not a groan nor a complaint escaped him (Washington), in extreme distress. With perfect resignation and a full possession of his reason, he closed his well spent life.”

Page three is almost solely devoted to Washington’s passing including the headlines: “American News. GEORGE-TOWN, Dec. 20. FUNERAL OF GENERAL WASHINGTON,” with full details on the procession and ceremonies. Under another column, we read: “GENERAL WASHINGTON’S ILLNESS,” which is an in-depth report by the attending physicians of the circumstances of Washington’s being “attacked by an inflammatory affection of the upper part of the wind-pipe, called in the technical language Cynache Trachealis.” As was one of the “normal” procedures of the day, the doctors used leeches to bleed Washington, but to no effect (except as we now know to weaken him!). You’ll read this report probably a dozen times before you can even begin to put it down, I assure you! Please check out the scans of the various reports.

The issue is the complete 4-page newspaper, printed on heavy and durable rag stock, in very fine condition. There are thick black mourning rules on each page to signify the death of Washington. This date and title is one of but three documented issues! And, I’m sure you know that if this historic paper were a rare coin, stamp, or other type of popular collectible with this miniscule population, we’d be talking six to seven figures in value (I closely monitor the collectibles market). The fact is, we sold a similar title reporting Washington’s death, at a major NYC auction for $22,000 in spirited bidding. The Norwich Packet issue has nowhere to go in value but up, however you may not want to ever part with this gem, and choose to perhaps hand it down in your family instead. First call or email gets it!

S O L D

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, Early America

PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS – CALIFORNIA GOLD MINES

THE DADE MASSACRE IN FLORIDA

DAVY CROCKETT REELECTED TO CONGRESS

NAT TURNER FINALLY CAPTURED AND IDENTIFIED!

THOMAS JEFFERSON’S 1802 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

GEORGE WASHINGTON DIES AT MOUNT VERNON

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