American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

STEPHENSON, James (1764-1833). Autograph letter signed ("J. Stephenson"), addressed to Capt. Jn. Blackford. Washington, 4 February 1811. 2 pages, 8vo, on a bifolium, addressed on an integral blank leaf, with remnants of original wax seal.  John Blackford, of Washington County Maryland, served as a captain of a volunteer company in the War of 1812, who were dubbed the "Bladensburg Racers" after their poor showing during the Battle of Bladensburg.  Despite his troops' behavior, he was made a colonel.  He had many interests in his private life, and was a businessman, landholder, justice of the peace and supervisor of public roads.  His home in Washington County was called Ferry Hill, and he operated a ferry between Maryland and Shepherdstown.  In his letter to Blackford, Stephenson discusses the recent Berlin Decrees: "The Milan and Berlin decrees were not revoked on the 14th of December. You no doubt recollect that they federalists were always of opinion that the Presidents proclamation was a premature and ill advised act..." 

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VERNON, William. Autograph letter signed ("Wm. Vernon") to Samuel Vernon. New York, 17 September 1814. 2 pages, 8vo, on a bifolium, addressed on an integral leaf, with remnant of wax seal. The Vernon family of Newport Rhode Island had important ties to the founding families in that state, and made important contributions during the American Revolution. Here, William writes his father Samuel about the War of 1812.  In part: "Victory has appeared lately from so many quarters that we are all on tiptoe...the destruction of Baltimore was believed to be inevitable & the fate of Plattsburg doubtful..."