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Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
INSURRECTION OF THE CITY'S NEGROES (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION--GEORGIA.) HARDING, CAPTAIN E. Autograph Letter Signed to Colonel George Bomford, Chief of the Ordnance, Washington City, D.C. Large folio sheet, folded to form four pages, written on three; docketed on the fourth. Augusta, GA January 24, 1841
An extraordinary letter appealing to Colonel George Bomford, ordnance officer in Washington City for aid to stave off a potential attack on the city's arsenal as part of a large and armed insurrection of the city's Negroes. Harding writes that there had been two incidents, the first of which was not a thing of "great moment." However, a second, more alarming incident, involving whites as well as blacks and rumors through the city made it clear that they would need some additional manpower in order to guard the city's arsenal. "But the second alarm which occurred on the 24th is not so regarded for the whole population has been alert several days to a sense of impending danger---seven or eight blacks and one or two white men have been arrested as leaders whose design it was to burn the city and murder the inhabitants, and for that purpose it was apprehended that the arsenal was to have been seized upon for their supply of arms and ammunition. . . . There is little doubt that we should make a very obstinate and formidable defense--but if assailed by 4 or 500 Negroes it would be difficult to guard every point with our limited number of men." A transcript of the entire letter will be provided. An exact copy of this letter is at the University of Georgia Libraries.
