The Emancipation Proclamation…Will Add Unity & Devotion To The Enemy.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019

A great Emancipation Proclamation letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by a certain "Elliott T. Merrick", St. Louis, Mo.], Oct. 6, 1862, to future Bvt. Major General Samuel A. Duncan, as major of the 14th New Hampshire Vols., reading, in part: "Your letter "all young & warm" with patriotism has just rec'd. a cordial welcome. When I read such letters…my heart tells me they desire better f their country than I…I have no personal acquaintance with your colonel, but have met your Lieutenant Colonel Baker & believe him an excellent officer…I too approve the Emancipation Proclamation, but…regard it the most dangerous as well as deadliest weapon that could be used. Till we penetrate their country it will add unity & devotion to the enemy…[but] it will weaken & butcher them & to some extent embarrass & confuse us…the Free Black, once a slave, who takes care of our office, told me, on enquiring…"The colored people in this city thought just about as much of Rebels, as he did & he had no more respect for a Rebel than he had for the Devil…the expression may be wicked as I am a member of the Baptist Church." …old and trusty slaves in the best families tell their masters they are going to be free…the masters offer & give them free papers & persuade them to remain. Mo. is sure to emancipate her slaves. I send you a speech…by one of our ablest men-not a politician, nor till recently hardly an anti-slavery man…E. T. Merrick." The original stamped transmittal cover, addressed: Maj. Samuel A. Duncan, 14th Regt. N. H. V., Concord, N. H.", is included. Overall near fine.

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