What Will Happen to the Mails if the Southern States Seceed

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006

Pair of Autograph Letter Signed by John Reeside of Washington D.C., a lobbyist and mail contractor for stage lines for several Southern states. Includes: ALS, “J.E. Reeside” 1p. octavo, Washington, December 10, 1860, addressed to S.C. Perkins and reads “One of my subcontractors in Arkansas having failed I am compelled to remian here and arrange the matter. I will be on Thursday ‘the prospects for Union look better’...” Fine...plus; ALS, “JE Reeside” 3p. octavo, Washington, March 7, 1861, addressed to Perkins and reads in part: “...it was my intention to have called on you...but having been delayed in settling with the Overland Mail Co. I did not make Philada...and was...forced to go Arkanasas. Where my mail contracts had become seriously deranged by the course indicated in the bill of the Republicans intimating that mail service in seceded or seceory states would be discontinued. While there my others in Miss & Louisiana also claimed my attention. I hurried back to Washington to be present when the inauguration came off as Genl Scott was much exercised by the phantom of a Southern Army taking the city, but which his course almost brought about the fact. There is no question now that much feeling does exist, and very bitter too, in the matter here and which has not been allayed by the Inaugural as Virginia will clearly show in a day or two if something pacific is not indicated, the southern members of the senate, all Union men I mean, now say that the policy of the Inaugural must not be carried out or the mission of the Southern Commissioners repudiated avenues enforced, nor forts reinforced, if this is persisted in every border slave state will go out, as there is no inidication that the Republicans intends[?] there will be difficulty, I mention the above to show my situation. My family is here when collision would first occur the regular troops are here and will remain. If Virginia goes out Maryland will follow and this city will be taken by them, besides my business may require my attention personally at any moment at the Dept. here and as everything I have is invested here and in states that now or are seceding I am in a fix...the Southern Commissioners are here and Ithink we will know by Saturday or Monday the result of their mission...” Fine.

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