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THBFRANCIS SCOTT KEY Autograph Letter Signed December 1815 to a Law Client
Lot 49
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About Auction
Live
By Early American History Auctions
Mar 20, 2021
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2021-03-20 12:00:00
2021-03-20 12:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Autographs-Colonial-Political-Americana
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/autographs-colonial-political-americana-6509
330 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Slavery & Black History, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Colonial Currency, Indian Peace Medals & more... Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
330 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Slavery & Black History, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Colonial Currency, Indian Peace Medals & more... Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
View Full Catalog (325)
- Lot Description
Autographs
Francis Scott Key Autograph Letter Signed December 1815
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (1779-1843). American lawyer, author, and amateur poet from Frederick, Maryland, best known for writing the lyrics for the American National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" when Key observed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 during the War of 1812, a leader of the American Colonization Society, criticized Slavery and gave free legal representation to some Slaves seeking for freedom.
December 23, 1815-Dated Federal Period, Autograph Letter Signed, "F. S. Key", sent to Mr. William Taylor, of Georgetown, 1 page, 4to, with Integral Mailing Address in holograph on verso with Circular Postal Stamp and manuscript "15" postage paid, Very Fine. This well written in rich brown ink on clean period paper Letter, sent by Key, has a typical seal tear and small hole from when opened causing loss of a few letters, light toning at folds, minor chipping at edges, one fold crossing signature, traces from the Wax Seal present and remnants affecting one letter on reverse. Docketed on verso reads: "Geo Town 23 December 1815 - F. S. Key.". This Letter is regarding a disagreement over payment in a case between his legal case client and the recipient, reading in part: "...He declines doing it, saying that he thinks it has been paid - & that your Bill-book (he thinks) will show you that he paid a d[ra]ft or bill on ac[coun]t of it long ago..." A pleasing, well written lawyer's communication with his client, written fully and nicely Signed by Francis Scott Key.
Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 - January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet from Frederick, Maryland, who is best known for writing the lyrics for the American national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Key observed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 during the War of 1812. He was inspired upon seeing the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn and wrote the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry"; it was published within a week with the suggested tune of the popular song "To Anacreon in Heaven". The song with Key's lyrics became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner" and slowly gained in popularity as an unofficial anthem, finally achieving official status more than a century later under President Herbert Hoover as the national anthem.
Key was a lawyer in Maryland and Washington D.C. for four decades and worked on important cases, including the Burr conspiracy trial, and he argued numerous times before the Supreme Court. He was nominated for District Attorney for the District of Columbia by President Andrew Jackson, where he served from 1833 to 1841. Key was a devout Episcopalian.
Key owned slaves from 1800, during which time abolitionists ridiculed his words, claiming that America was more like the "Land of the Free and Home of the Oppressed".
As District Attorney, he suppressed abolitionists and did not support an immediate end to Slavery. He was also a leader of the American Colonization Society which sent freed slaves to Africa. He freed some of his Slaves in the 1830s, paying one Ex-Slave as his farm foreman. He publicly criticized Slavery and gave free legal representation to some Slaves seeking freedom, but he also represented owners of Runaway Slaves.
Our Auction Contents:
Black History & Slavery: (Lots 1 - 63)
Abraham Lincoln Related: (Lots 64 - 74)
Historic Autographs: (Lots 75 - 235)
Colonial America: (Lots 236 - 261)
Revolutionary War: (Lots 262 - 304)
George Washington Related: (Lots 305 - 306)
Early American Guns & Weapons: (Lots 307 - 318) - Shipping Info
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