(CONGRESS) Wilson Edgar C Letters written as United States C

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(CONGRESS.) Wilson, Edgar C. Letters written as United States Congressman from Virginia. 35 items in one folder, many 4to with free-franked and postmarked address panels: 16 Autograph Letters Signed by Wilson to his wife Mary Ann as a member of Congress (dated and/or free-franked); 13 letters written by Wilson after Congress, 1848-1857 and undated; 4 letters from Mary Ann to Edgar Wilson while he served in Congress; one letter from Louise to Mary Ann Wilson, 1832; and a document signed by 5 Virginia sheriffs certifying Wilson's election, 1833; condition generally strong. Vp, 1832-57 and undated

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Edgar Campbell Wilson (1800-1860) of Morgantown, VA (now West Virginia) served one term as an Anti-Jacksonian in the 23rd Congress from March 1833 to March 1835. He was the middle link in a modest political dynasty; his father Thomas and son Eugene were both also one-term congressmen.
Wilson's letters include insights on the workings of Congress. His 24 January [1834?] letter is perhaps most interesting, as it was written at least partially from his seat while Congress was in session. He complains of his neighbor Amos Lane of Indiana: "I am now writing whilst Mr. Lane is making a violent speech about the Indian warriors of the west. He occasionally gives me taps on head, in the violence of his gestures." He notes the heavy burden of visitors on all Congressmen of up to 40 visitors per day, adding that Henry Clay's list in the evening alone "has almost every day not been less than some 10 or 12 visitors." He also describes the annual meeting of the American Colonization Society, praising Theodore Frelinghuysen's speech as "highly interesting from its eloquence and feeling" and describing Gerrit Smith's pledge of $5,000 to the cause, which "produced quite a clapping." Another highlight is the 31 December [1834] letter on attending John Quincy Adams's eulogy on Lafayette (the signed pamphlet printing is an Americana staple), described as "perhaps as able a production as ever came from him." He also scoffs at President Jackson's egalitarian ways: "Tomorrow is New Year's Day. Of course, the pres't mansion is thrown open from 12 to 2 o'clock to parade and jostle about."
Wilson was deeply religious, which seemed to inform his political thought. He included this reflection in his 9 March 1834 letter: "I was reading Bickersteth on prayer today. . . . I was struck with the anecdote of the poor Negro slave in the West Indies who was threatened by her master with severe punishment if she attended public worship. Her only reply was 'I must tell the Lord that.' How simple, yet how affecting."