Printed and Manuscript Americana

Force, Peter
Autograph Letter, signed
No place, January 18, 1852. Single sheet (integral leaf likely perished), 8 x 5 in. (203 x 127 mm). One-page autograph letter, boldly signed by American historian Peter Force, to naturalist, and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, Spencer F. Baird: "Dr. Sir, I sent the book to your house, in five minutes after you left. It was handed by my son to a servant at the door. Wishing you a pleasant journey. I am, yrs Peter Force." Creasing from old folds; loss in left margin; light soiling.

Together with:

Carey, Mathew.
Autograph Letter, signed
Philadelphia, July 26, 1825. Bifolium, 10 x 8 in. (254 x 203 mm). One-page autograph letter, signed by American publisher Mathew Carey to Peter Force: "Dear Sir I rec'd yesterday, your extra paper No. 21, which is all that has come to hand, from a No. 12. Eight numbers, therefore, have not been forwarded, for they could not all have mis carried. This paper must have been stopped at the time I subscribed for the National Journal Pray forward the deficient numbers, by private hand- I send an extra copy of No. 21. Your obt. hble. Servt. Mathew Carey." Integral leaf addressed by Carey; contemporary docketing; wax seal remnants. Creasing from old folds, scattered toning.

Together with:

Poinsett, Joel Roberts
Autograph Letter, signed.
No place, December 12, (ca. 1823-30). Bifolium, 7 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (191 x 114 mm). One-page autograph letter, signed by American naturalist and diplomat Joel Roberts Poinsett to Peter Force: "Sir The Clerk of the house made a mistake in ordering the National Journal on my account- I am already a subscriber to your paper and will thank you to have my paper sent regularly every morning to my rooms...your obt. servt. J.R. Poinsett." With a autograph postscript by Poinsett: "If you will send the next I will renew my subscription." Addressed by Poinsett on integral leaf, docketing on verso. Creasing from old folds, small closed tears along same; scattered foxing; paper loss on last page from when opened.

Peter Force (1790-1868) published the National Journal from 1823-30, a moderately conservative newspaper popular during the Presidency of John Quincy Adams. It was contributed to and read by many well-known contemporaries, including Philadelphia publisher Mathew Carey (1760-1839), and Congressman Joel R. Poinsett (1779-1851)

Force's greatest achievement however would be his nine-volume American Archives series, published from 1837-53, a collection of the most important documents from the American Revolution.