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THBFeb 3, 1809 MA. Official Legislature Resolve on Death of Governor JAMES SULLIVAN
Lot 117
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Aug 21, 2021
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2021-08-21 12:00:00
2021-08-21 12:00:00
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335 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Colonial Currency & more... Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
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- Lot Description
Federal Period
Death of Patriot 7th Massachusetts Governor James Sullivan (1807-08) Important Letter of Appreciation for His Memorial
(JAMES SULLIVAN) (1744-1808). American Patriot, lawyer and politician in Massachusetts, early associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, served as State's Attorney General for many years, founding president of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and as the 7th Governor of the State from 1807 until his death.
February 3, 1809-Dated Federal Period, Original Historical Manuscript Document, 1 page, measuring 9.75" x 7.75" at Boston (MA.), Choice Extremely Fine. This handwritten Document was sent by an unspecified writer (likely a relative of Sullivan with name on the tramsmittal cover which is not present), addressed to: Harrison Gray Otis, President of the Massachusetts Senate, and to Timothy Bigelow, Speaker of the State's House of Representatives, expressing sincere thanks and appreciation to them, and for the well wishes of the Massachusetts Legislature in regard to the Death of governor James Sullivan. This document is beautifully handwritten on fine quality watermarked period laid paper in rich brown ink, this Document reads, in part:
"To the Honorable Harrison G. Otis Esqr. - President of the Senate. --- and --- The Honorable Timothy Bigelow Esqr. - Speaker of the House of Representatives. -- Gentlemen, ---
The Resolve of the Legislature passed in honor of the memory of the Late Chief Magistrate has been made known to me through your most acceptable letter. Such approbation of the publick conduct as the Honorable Legislature have been pleased to express and such notice as you will have been pleased to express and such notice as you have been pleased to take of the virtues which truly endeared him in his domestick relations are received as the best of human consolations, and will ever be associated with my remembrance of his worth. --- To you, Gentlemen, I beg leave to render the assurance for the highest respect; & to express my fervent wishes, that if the hour of calamity should occur to you, such consolations may be experienced as you have so feelingly offered to others."
In excellent overall condition being boldly written and easily readable in deep brown on fine quality fresh and clean laid period paper that is choice for display.
Harrison Gray Otis (October 8, 1765 - October 28, 1848), was a businessman, lawyer, and politician, becoming one of the most important leaders of the United States' first political party, the Federalists. He was a member of the Otis family.
One of the wealthiest men of Boston during his time, Otis was reportedly worth at least $800,000 in 1846. His estimated net worth as a fraction of the U.S. gross domestic product at the time would be equivalent to $5.6 Billion in 2008 U.S. dollars.
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For his services as a lawyer defending land claims in York County, Maine, in 1773 Sullivan was offered a portion within the tract. He accepted, and the property was organized as Limerick Plantation, named after County Limerick, Ireland, the birthplace of his father. In 1775, he helped settle the town, which on March 6, 1787 would be incorporated as Limerick, Maine.
James Sullivan (April 22, 1744 - December 10, 1808) was a lawyer and politician in Massachusetts. He was an early associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, served as the state's attorney general for many years, and as governor of the state from 1807 until his death.
Sullivan was born and raised in Berwick, Maine (then part of Massachusetts), and studied law with his brother John. After establishing a successful law practice, he became actively involved in the Massachusetts state government during the American Revolutionary War, and was appointed to the state's highest court in March 1776.
He was involved in drafting the state constitution and the state's ratifying convention for the United States Constitution. After resigning from the bench in 1782 he returned to private practice, and was appointed Attorney General in 1790.
During his years as judge and attorney general he was responsible for drafting and revising much of the state's legislation as part of the transition from British rule to independence. While attorney general he worked with the commission that established the border between Maine and New Brunswick, and prosecuted several high-profile murder cases.
Sullivan was a political partisan, supporting the Democratic-Republican Party and subscribing to Jeffersonian republican ideals. He supported John Hancock and Samuel Adams in their political careers, and was a frequent contributor, often under one of many pseudonyms, to political dialogue in the state's newspapers. He ran unsuccessfully for governor several times before finally winning the office in 1807. He died in office during his second term.
In addition to his political pursuits Sullivan engaged in charitable and business endeavors. He was a leading proponent of the Middlesex Canal and the first bridge between Boston and Cambridge, and was instrumental in the development of Boston's first public water supply.
He was the founding president of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and held membership in a variety of other charitable organizations. He wrote one of the first histories of his native Maine, and a legal text on land titles.
Legal historian Charles Warren calls him one of the most important legal figures of the time in Massachusett
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