Title: Autograph Letter, signed, regarding publication of his "A Journal of a Missionary Tour Through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan"
Author: Scott, Rev. James L.
Description: 2 page Autograph Letter, signed, on a single sheet, approximately 13x8¾", with original stampless envelope.Scott, Pastor of a Seventh Day Baptist church in Richburg, New York, writes his brother describing circumstances surrounding the publication of his memoir of his 1842 Missionary journeys. "...I have my Journal in the publishers office, in Providence. It was to have been out before this time, but will not be completed until about the 20th of this month. It costs much more than I expected, and I do not know but I shall sink money, but it is now too late to regret. I shall be obliged to use all of my money for that, or the most of it, and very likely more. I shall trust to fortune for the redemption of it again. I should be very happy to send some to Father, but you at once see that I cannot, at least, at this time, and if my books do not readily sell, I may be much pressed to get it back again, for what I pay out goes in a lump." Wright Howes, praises the work as a "valuable description of the country from Pennsylvania to Iowa and Wisconsin" but calls it "quite scarce". Only five copies have sold at auction in the past 35 years. Very little is known about Rev. Scott; this letter may provide the only clues to his literary misfortune.
Heading: (American Travel)Place Published: Westerly, Rhode Island
Publisher:
Date Published: April 7, 1843

Creased from mailing, some edge wear; very good.