Political
"President Polk's message or Tom Bentons defense of Fremont... as the Gold fever rages in this western country..."
January 30, 1849-Dated California Gold Rush Period, Political and Historic Content Autograph Letter Signed, "Constant Luce," Monroe (Michigan), Choice Very Fine.
Original early 1849 "Gold Rush" period Autograph Letter Signed, "Constant Luce", 4 pages, measuring 7.5" x 12.25" (open), Monroe (Michigan), transmittal folds. Written to his Grandfather, he discusses his brother-in-law's journey to California during the Gold Rush, the "Wilmot Proviso," and covers many topics of the time in addition to family news. He writes to his sister Mary, in part:
"... will live with me this year for Mr. Adams has gone to California. He started two weeks ago yesterday for Washington on his way he goes out as agent of a company that he got up in this place... before he started he got a letter from Genl Cass to President Polk which I saw and should think was a very strong letter. Mr. Felch our Senator in Congress is an old and intimate friend of his... I think with all of this he will succeed in getting something to do in that land of promise...
The Gold fever rages in this western country... I think it is not more than an average for the State which would make about five thousand and if the rest of the United States should send such a proportion it would send between two three hundred thousand people from the United States alone in six months but if one half of that number goes the Wilmot Proviso need not be passed... I see by your letter you take our defeat of last fall by Old Zach (Zachary Taylor) rather cooly...
I am glad you do but it is hard for me to but we shall have to stand it for four years and I think we can as well as the Whigs can and better than some they don't all like it... hope all of the free Soilers will get full satisfaction get what they deserve, but there is no use in crying for spilt milk... I presume that this letter will put you in mind of President Polks message or Tom Bentons defense of Fremont..." plus much more.
The "Wilmot Proviso" was first introduced by Pennsylvania Congressman David Wilmot in 1846 during the first months of the Mexican War. The proviso would have prevented the spread of Slavery into any Territory wrested from Mexico, but it failed in the U.S. Senate. It was reintroduced twice more in 1847 and 1848, but failed to pass in the Senate on both instances.