July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
War-date Autograph Letter Signed pertaining to the fall of Richmond and the reaction of the traders at Wall Street, 7pp. quarto, New York, April 3, 1865, and reads in part: "...We have the glorious news of the capture of Richmond. It is too good to be believed without farther confirmation....At present there is nothing talked of but the capture of Richmond. Gold has gone down to 1.45. You remember Frank said three or four months ago that I would be mistaken or disappointed in expecting gold to go down below 1.75 even if the war did close. I said I thought it ought to go as low as 1.30 & I based my opinion upon calculations made upon the amt. of the Govt debt & the consequent issues of paper money & bonds. And I still think it will go down to about 1.25 or 1.30 & maybe lower. Then all will not be quiet at Denhams....News Confirmed!!Mr. Coats has just returned from Wall St. Wall St. was crowded. At the propositiong of Simeon Draper who came out upon the balcony or recess of the Merchants Exchange the whole street sang to the tune old hundred 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow!' Think of old Wall St. stopping its customary hurry of business to sing at high noon 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow' - I sing it with all my heart & I wish I could dry every widow's & orphan's tears that must flow on a/c of this days glorious success. Brave men have fallen - many a widow & many an orphan all rejoicing now who know not the bitterness in store for them. I hope we may now sing the glory of triumph of not only the north, but of Liberty. Hurrah for the Stars & Stripes but only as they are the emblem of Universal liberty. No black slaves - no white masters. No bully Brooks' in Congress, all Sumners & Chases & Sewards & Shermans. I send you the latest dispatches cut from the extras. I do not send you a paper for fear that it may be stolen..." with the newspaper clippings. Extra fine condition.
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