A New Selection of Rare Americana from David Lesser Antiquarian Books

David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books has issued their Catalogue 203 of Rare Americana. It offers a collection of printed material primarily from the late 18^th and 19^th century America. Most of the items were meant to expound on the issues of the day, not intended for long-term survival. Fortunately, some did survive and they enable us to experience these times as those who lived in the day did. So here we go, back to the days when Washington and Lincoln were President, and when Fillmore and Tippecanoe (briefly) were Presidents, too.

There were lots of good reasons to vote for Lincoln in 1864, such as completing the victory in the Civil War, rather than grasping defeat from the jaws of victory. Here is an argument that never occurred to me (or probably anyone else) and time proved it not to be a good reason at all. But, if you were desperately looking for a reason to vote for Lincoln in 1864, how about doing it to elect Andrew Johnson as Vice-President? This broadside asks, Who Shall Be Vice-President? Shall He Be a Loyal or Disloyal Man? The writer points out there are only two choices, Johnson or George H. Pendleton. Pendleton was a Democratic Congressman from Ohio, a “Peace Democrat,” or less politely, a Copperhead. He opposed the ratification of the 13^th Amendment which outlawed slavery. He was a good choice to vote against, even if Johnson wasn't a great choice to vote for. The broadside presciently points out, “Past experience shows that the choice of Vice-President of the United States is almost as important as that of President. In case the latter dies or becomes unable to perform the duties of office, they devolve upon the former.” The writer recalls the elections of Harrison and Taylor, whose deaths gave us Presidents Tyler and Fillmore, not among the pantheon of great American presidents. Sadly, Johnson would soon join them among presidents less than stellar. Lincoln missed on this one. Item 63. Priced at $850.

Speaking of the illustrious Millard Fillmore, here is a Biography of Millard Fillmore. You might want to read it as you probably don't know a lot about the 13^th President of the United States. He acceded to the presidency when Zachary Taylor died in office. The most notable “achievement” of his term, if it can be considered an achievement, was the Compromise of 1850, which incensed northerners who were required to enforce a fugitive slave law. He was not nominated by the dying Whig Party for the presidency in 1852, but was nominated by the new American (Know-Nothing) Party in 1856, but lost badly. If you go to Utah, you might visit Fillmore, county seat of Millard County. A grateful Brigham Young was responsible for those names, Fillmore having appointed him Governor. This biography was written for Fillmore's 1856 presidential campaign. It probably isn't entirely objective. Item 48. $375.

This pamphlet circa 1865 addresses a major issue of the time, The Negro Suffrage. Author J. E. Cairnes writes in favor of full rights of citizenship for the freed slaves. “Shall the negro, now that he is emancipated, be admitted at once to the full prerogatives of citizenship, or is he to remain a mere sojourner on sufferance in the great Republic which he has assisted to save?” Cairnes asks. His answer is yes. He then hits home on an issue that Southeners would have been loathe to acknowledge. He notes that “the bulk of the freedmen who are now demanding admission to citizenship in the United States have, it must never be forgotten, quite as much Anglo-Saxon as African blood in their veins.” Item 11. $750.

Thomas Paine was one of America's leading founders at the time of the Revolution. His pamphlet, Common Sense, published six months before the Declaration of Independence, called for American independence from Great Britain. It was the intellectual argument for breaking the ties, and its reach and influence enormous. Paine would later make his way back to Europe, where his radical ideas would cause personal troubles for him. He ended up in a French prison during that nation's revolution and came within a hair's breadth of being executed. Paine bore a grudge against his old comrade, George Washington, for failing to take action to free him. He wrote a scathing letter in 1796 to the then President, and when the latter didn't reply, he published his letter. This is it, Letter to George Washington, President of the United States of America, on Affairs Public and Private. In it, he reams Washington for his conduct, character, humanity and just about everything else, including his military skills. If this were a popularity contest, then Paine clearly took on too big a target. Item 92. $1,250.

James Madison is not remembered for being a particularly controversial President, but all Presidents experience controversies and have enemies in their time. The writer of The Republican Crisis: or, an Exposition of the Political Jesuitism of James Madison certainly didn't like America's fourth President. Evidently, he didn't want to be associated with his vitriol as he identifies himself only as “an Observant Citizen of the District of Columbia.” Writing for the 1812 election, the writer was a supporter of Madison's opponent, DeWitt Clinton. He attacks the “crooked and weak policy” of Madison, and attacks his “weak and jealous disposition,” “political turpitude and depravity,” and says he “was never a sincere friend to the republican cause.” He also claims Madison possessed “frensied ambitions,” which caused him to resort to “pusillanimous subterfuges” to win reelection that “sickens the mind.” On top of that, he married “Mrs. Pain, a lady of tory principles, now Mrs. Madison, such is the effect of female influence on men of weak minds.” Dolley? He attacked Dolley Madison, the hero who saved George Washington's portrait from the White House when Washington, D.C., was taken by the British during the War of 1812? That's a bridge too far. And she was Dolley Payne Madison, not “pain.” Item 78. $450.

David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books may be reached at 203-389-8111 or dmlesser@lesserbooks.com. Their website is www.lesserbooks.com.