[Jacksonian Era] A Fascinating Contemporary Letter by an American Farmer Written Amid the Nullification Crisis and the Petticoat Affair

Autograph Letter, signed
Wilcox County, Alabama, July 4, 1832. Bifolium, 12 3/4 x 7 3/4 in. (324 x 197 mm). Three-page autograph letter, signed by Charles and Jane Connor to his brother William Connor of Fairfield Corner, Maine, regarding family matters, and mentioning the political climate of the United States that has "run mad with nulification", and mentioning the Petticoat Affair and Peggy Eaton, wife of President Jackson's Secretary of War. Integral leaf addressed in Connor's hand. Creasing from old folds; wear and small loss (affecting some text) at fore-edge from seal when opened.

A National Crisis from the Viewpoint of an Everyday Farmer and his Family

Penned by a Charles Connor, and his wife Jane, of Wilcox County, Alabama, to his brother William, in Fairfield Corner, Maine. Connor touches on a variety of family affairs, including the state of his family and farming. In particular, he goes on to mention the Nullification Crisis that then threatened the federal government's sovereignty as South Carolina sought to void federal law by rejecting the hated Tariff of 1828. The first major test against federal sovereignty, the confrontation nearly led to armed conflict, but was avoided with the passage of the Force Bill and the Compromise Tariff of 1833. Connor states that the "politicks of this country they are run mad with nulification and dont now where it will end but i am in hopes that it will end in the ellection of Henry Clay to Presidentcy". Connor goes on to make reference to Peggy Eaton, wife of President Jackson's Secretary of War, and what would be called the Petticoat Affair--a scandal involving Jackson's cabinet and their wives, who ostracized Mrs. Eaton for what they deemed her loose morals. The scandal resulted in the resignation of Vice President John C. Calhoun and the replacement of Jackson's cabinet.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[Jacksonian Era] A Fascinating Contemporary Letter by an American Farmer Written Amid the Nullification Crisis and the Petticoat Affair