?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400
"THE FREE NORTH WILL BE REPRESENTED IN . . . CONGRESS BY FREE MEN. SOBER MEN" (PROHIBITION.) NEAL DOW. Two Autograph Letters Signed. The first, to William P. Fessenden ("Mr. Fessenden"), praising his speech and observing that it shows that Congress must recognize the free North, with a postscript: "The Pres't [Pierce] must be unhappy at the result of the Election in N.H. If the Temperance Men had commenced operating Earlier, the democracy would have been entirely overthrown. . . ." The second, "To the Editor of the [Portland Daily?] Press," clarifying common misconceptions concerning the Maine Law. Together 5 pages, 8vo, first written on recto and verso of a single sheet and second written on rectos only; second with few scattered closed tears repaired verso with tissue, second also with ink date added in unknown hand at upper right of first page, folds. Portland, 21 March 1854; Np, 19 January [1895]
1854: ". . . In reading your speech, we see that there is really a North--and feel that its existence must be by and by acknowledged by those who feign to forget it.
"I cannot doubt that the generation of dough faces will soon pass away, and that the free North will be represented in the Halls of Congress by free men. Sober men, at any rate. A movement is now on foot, which I think will accomplish that, at least."
[1895]: ". . . There are no alcoholic liquors manufactured in Maine--nor have there been for many years. . . . Such liquors are now brought into the State . . . in violation of law . . . .
". . . By stopping illegal transportation the grog shops would be powerless of evil. The rum trade is very profitable and the fines of fifty dollars was nothing to the smugglers.
". . . [A] letter was obtained from the Chief Justice declaring that the penalty, one year in jail, was unconstitutional, being out of all perspection to the offense. . . .
". . . [I] say to the Chief Justice that there was no word in the Constitution to justify his opinion. . . ."
WITH--Neal Dow. Signature on a small card, "Neal Dow / Portland / Maine." 2 1/4x3 1/2 inches; remnants of prior mounting at corners verso.
