The Collected Library, Including Americana and Early Photography

New York, March 1, 1844. Bifolium, 10 x 8 in. (254 x 203 mm). Autograph letter signed by Chris Hubbard to Captain Hiram Pauling, recounting a letter from Josiah Tattnall, on a visit to the Colony of Liberia. In part: "...He has been on shore, and dines with the Governor of Liberia, and saw the Lieut. Govr in whom he recognized an old and trusty slave of his friend Habursham of Savannah. He also met an old Savannah Negress who knew him...He also recd. a letter from a Black Clergyman who was a shoe maker from Savannah and in speaking of the name of Tattnall, says 'it was justly dear to all true Georgians!'...he called on the king and when he enters his palace (a Hut) he saw three of his wife lying on mats...the King has seven wives, and four children. Tattnall told the king...that if he had seven wives like him (the King) he would have had 49 children...What an awful accident at Washington, its next to horrible to think of it from the opinion I have found (without knowing him) of Capt. Kennon, his brother officers must very deeply regret his loss and under said circumstances it is deeply afflicting..." Addressed on verso, with postal stamp. Creasing from old folds, paper-loss from wax seal, scattered foxing.

Interesting autograph letter recounting a visit to the Colony of Liberia by Capt. Josiah Tattnall III (1795-1871) sent to Capt. Hiram Pauling (1797-1879) a career U.S. Naval Officer who served with distinction from the War of 1812 through the American Civil War, eventually attaining the rank of Rear Admiral.

The area that is now Liberia had European colonies established a few times in the early Columbian period, but none lasted long. In 1816, the American Colonization Society was founded in Washington D.C., with the view that free people of color could not be integrated into society, so they supported schemes to "repatriate" African Americans back to Africa. The Society began sending emigrants to Liberia in the 1820s, but the experiment was unsuccessful in almost every way. Relations between native inhabitants and those sent from America were shaky, and diseases were rampant among the settlers. By 1843, out of the 4,571 emigrants sent, only 40% were still alive. The American Colonization Society continued operations in Liberia throughout the 19th century, even after the Republic of Liberia was recognized by the United States in 1862.

The "awful incident" mentioned by Hubbard refers the explosion of USS Princeton that happened on February 28, 1844. During a public reception hosted on the ship with many political dignitaries, including President John Tyler, a gun magazine exploded killing six people, including Secretary of State Abel Upsur, and Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gilmer.