Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
His final disunion related political letter, 4pp. 4to., written by JOHN A. ROCKWELL (Aug. 27, 1803- Feb. 10, 1861) Yale educated, former Connecticut Congressman and Constitutional Union Party member who supported the Bell-Everett ticket in the 1860 election, Washington, D. C., Feb. 3, 1861 being his last as he died just one week after writing this letter to his son Alfred, reading, in part: "…I am daily…excited and annoyed by the discussions of the important questions that are constantly arising. What will come of it…no human being can tell…the coming week is full of importance. During it we shall have the convention in this city and in Montgomery Ala. Much may depend upon what the two conventions may do…the Southern Convention will establish a provisional government and secure a final [?] of the Union so far…as the Cotton States are concerned. The one that meets here may…adopt measures for keeping the border states. If this can be permanently done, the problem…will be a much less difficult one…there will be attempts made for a peaceable separation…these and many more such questions arise about which no positive opinion can be formed…a few days will disclose a great deal. The election in Virginia tomorrow will tell a most important tale…Va. will probably elect a majority of Union loving men [and hopefully] the convention here will tend to produce some good [and] that Congress will pass some…measures as Mr. Adams of Mass. proposed…So. Carolina and other Cotton states, except those on the Mississippi River, will never come back…the mood in tees states will overrule the wealth and intellect of the states…if they remain out the separation cannot be peaceable…there need be no effort to "Coerce a State"…the destruction of the Union and the consequences…will lead to war. The seceding states will alter the facts and…thus inaugurate a bloody strife…there will be a bloody and protracted contest then [and] if Va. and Maryland go out, there will be at once a dreadful contest for this Capital. It will never be relinquished by the U. S. If civil war does occur, it will be a protracted and dreadful war and all the slaves will be free. What will become of them no one can tell. I do not think that there is any danger of any submission in the north & west, nor a separation from California and Oregon. Nor do I think that what is now occurring is any argument against a republican government or our won constitution. The government will be a strong and powerful one, not liable to disintegration…the extreme forbearance which has been shown toward the seceding states…is not a mark of weakness but of conscious power and strength. There will be a wicked and…horrible…bloody civil…war…it will show us to be one of the most warlike nations in the world…J. A. Rockewell." Also included is a small Feb. 14, 1861 newspaper clipping announcing the funeral services for Rockwell which occurred in Washington. VG to near fine.
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