"We think the Inclusion of Mr. Anthony Burns is Necessary to Develop the Intended Reaction which I submit to your Judgement. Your obedient servant, Rich H. Dana Jr. TT Chas. Ellis Esq."
n.p. n.d. [1854 or later]. Bottom portion of a note or letter on light blue paper to an unknown recipient. 20 x 14 cm. Undated but probably circa 1854. Horzontal fold. Brown ink. Richard Henry Dana, Jr. and Chrles Eillis defended Anthony Burns in court when he was arrested as a fugitive slave in 1854 under the provisions of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The judge ruled against Burns. His freedom from re-enslavement was later purchased with funds raised from lopcal abolitionists. As to this partial letter, it tantalizes but is ultimately too fragmentary for us to know what "inclusion" of Burns, Dana is suggesting. The "TT Chas. Ellis, esq" in the lower left corner probably indicates that Ellis was being copied or even that this was a copy for Ellis. The trial and rendition of Anthony Burns in 1854 was an important event in shifting many Northerners toward favoring the abolition of slavery. As for Mr.Burns, he was able to study at Oberlin and a Cincinnati seminary after being freed and became a Baptist minister. He was 28 when he died of tuberculosis in 1862. Very Good. Item #95564
Price: $375.00