Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
April 4, 1867-Dated, Manuscript Letter from Army Second Lt. William Atwood, to a friend, Discussing Radical Reconstruction Politics, Voting Rights for African Americans, and Problems with Indians, Washington, D.C., VG. This 8pp., museum-quality letter, 8-1/4” x 10-1/2,” describes in exquisite detail the radical political atmosphere that consumed Washington in the years after the Civil War. Lt. Atwood crows about the passage of a "Military Reconstruction Bill" over President Johnson's veto, and efforts to impeach him, in part: "This law places the entire control of the rebel states in the hands of the military commanders… who are Sheridan, Ord, Sickles, Schofield and Pope. These officers may allow such civil officers to act as they see proper, but the State Governments are to be regarded as provisional only, and in all respects subject to the paramount authority of the U.S. at any time to abolish, modify, control or suspend the same… This constitution is to be republican in form & provide for negro suffrage, and when it shall be approved by Congress, and said State shall have adopted the Constitutional amendment; then said State shall be declared entitled to a representative in Congress, and the military control shall cease… Yes Sir! Negro suffrage is an accomplished fact in this country. Who can say we are not a nation of progress!... At the election in Georgetown, D.C. the first at which negroes voted, they all voted the straight Republican ticket, and elected a good Radical mayor, by a majority of several hundred… They hold the balance of power, if only they knew it…"
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