June 25, 1849-Dated Manuscript Handwritten Letter with Integral Postal Cover, Black History content writing of “Happy Contented Slaves” Hire Themselves Out and are Respected by their Owners, Very Fine.
This vivid letter is from Erastus Sanford to Samuel Sanford in Wickford, RI., measures 7.75” x 9.75”, 3 pages, boldly written and easily readable, some minor paper loss from red wax seals being opened, affecting just a few words. From Henderson, KY., in which he writes of being hired to set up a woolen textile mill, and being in the, "backwoods of Kentucky, the land of Crockett and Ben Harding" [sic, Hardin]. Here, writing of Hardin, a former Senator, stump speaking across the State on the Constitutional Reform question, and the issue of Liberating the Slaves, an issue agitated by Henry Clay, and others. Noting that it will not succeed at present (it didn't, as Pro-Slavery forces blocked any liberating provisions).

He then paints a rosy picture of Slavery and the condition of the Slaves, noting that they, "are the most peaceable, well disposed citizens... happy and contented". Stating that they are treated well by their masters, and even respected, and they can hire themselves out to whom they wish. He also writes of the cholera epidemic raging through the land, of steamboats having to stop multiple times to bury their dead on the river banks. Also, is his writing of the deadly “Astor Place” riot which occurred in Manhattan on May 10, 1849, arising out of a dispute between the American actor Edwin Forrest, and the British actor, William Macready, over which one of them was better at Acting the major roles of Shakespeare. This letter reads, in part:

"Henderson, KY, June 25/ 49 -- Dear Sam, --- ... My stopping is in Henderson County, KY, being requested by a machinist of Louisville to go down with and set up a set of woolen cards to make rolls, it being the prettiest business you can imagine. 500 Dollars worth of cards will make 6 to 8 Dollars per day. They are now running, making the best rolls within 200 miles square, giving the owner perfect satisfaction. He wishes me to run them for him and learn him this season, which I think of doing at $2 per day. There is a good demand for operators and increasing. The Treasurer of a company in Indiana wishes me to remain in vicinity to go in his mill of 10,000 spindles when completed. There is now in contemplation 3 or 4 very large factories on the Ohio, two in Tennessee. Soon you can see them all along the river. I am located in what is called the backwoods of Kentucky, the land of Crockett and Ben Harding [Hardin].

Ben is an eccentric genius going about stump speaking and holding debates in the upper parts of the State on the Constitutional reform question, which you probably know about. The subject of liberating their Slaves is agitated by the most influential, such as Clay, Crittenden, Prentiss &c., but it will not succeed at present. The Slaves are the most peaceable, well disposed citizens partaking of his master's good qualities and not allowed in his more evil practices. They are now happy and contented, it being for the interest of masters to use them well, as they are his wealth, feeding and clothing them well that they may live long and endure with ease. They most all hire themselves out to whom they wish, receiving 8 or 10 holidays and respected by their owners. Slavery as it is, and where it is, and nowhere else is my motto you know. The Kentuckians cannot be beat for their own State's pride and pretensions to gallantry... Adieu -- (Signed) Erast. Sanford" (Additional text Online)
I pass my leisure hours in hunting grey squirrels, turkeys, coons... and take a hand at cards with the girls, Sundays go from 3 to 10 miles to meeting and there behold the change in customs. Here the girls and boys, fathers & mothers all ride on horseback, sometimes on one beast, just as they used to do with you some 70 years ago. We live in log houses... Meeting houses are of logs, rudely built and contrast mightily with those you frequent.

The Cholera has been raging for 4 months. I have been with but one case and hope it may pass me by without injury. Frequent accounts from Steam Boats on the river are horrors to relate, some stop 10 or 40 times from Orleans and bury their dead on the banks of the river, and not unfrequently have to stop for want of a crew, leaving them dead in some hole on the river banks.... I see you have had a big row in New York over old Mackready. I saw him play at Louisville to crowded houses. He is perfect in the characters but has not the faculty to naturalize them, which gives no impressions necessary to his audience. The Kentuckians cannot be beat for their own State's pride and pretensions to gallantry...Adieu -- (Signed) Erast. Sanford"
[Antebellum Period, Slavery and Abolition, Kentucky] [Cholera Epidemic, Astor Place Riot, Political History] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Autographs]