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Historic 1863 Handwritten Letter from Washington Hunt to New York Governor Horatio Seymour Discussin

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 900.00 USD
Historic 1863 Handwritten Letter from Washington Hunt to New York Governor Horatio Seymour Discussin
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Lockport, New York. April 18, 1863. Letter from Washington Hunt to New York Governor Horatio Seymour, several pages long and in black handwriting. This piece discusses the Chicago Canal Convention of 1863 and the Erie Canal, as well as briefly mentions the ongoing Civil War. Washington Hunt takes a grim view of the Canal Convention, stating that it is his belief that "they will propose things which the General Government has neither the financial ability or the Constitutional power to perform." He continues to write, "We have just finished the Erie Canal enlargement, it will be found sufficient for the trade in some years to come...The Canal is...the property of New York and we cannot allow other states to have any partnership in it even by implication. Let us have something that we can call our own, untouched by Federal interference." This document highlights the different political perspectives between the two politicians, as Hunt admits that he took the liberty to make these suggestions to Governor Seymour. He is particularly concerned about New York State's rights, and ends the letter with a plead to not "reduce the State to a mere satellite of the central government." Washington Hunt (August 5, 1811 - February 2, 1867) was an American lawyer and politician. In his last years, Hunt moved increasingly closer to the Democrats, endorsing his two-time opponent, Horatio Seymour for the New York gubernatorial race in 1862 and supporting George McClellan for the presidency at the 1864 Democratic National Convention. Horatio Seymour (May 31, 1810 - February 12, 1886) was an American politician. He served as Governor of New York from 1853 to 1854 and from 1863 to 1864. He was the Democratic Party nominee for president in the 1868 presidential election, won by Republican, General Ulysses S. Grant. Fascinating piece of history related to two political figures and New York Governors who opposed each other in elections more than once, but clearly had a communicative relationship. Rare and unique document.