Sold by Nat DesMarais Rare Books, ABAA, Portland, OR, U.S.A.
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since April 4, 2012
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Original 4-page letter from H. I. Thornton Jr. to his mother and dated August 3rd of 1860. Contemporary lined blue paper with each page measuring 7 3/4 x 9 7/8 inches. Written in a very legible hand. Expected fold-lines and one short marginal tear else and excellent letter filled with California politics before the Civil War.Harry I. Thornton Jr. was born and raised in Alabama in a highly distinguished family; his father was Alabama Supreme Court Judge and his uncle, John J. Crittenden of Kentucky, was a United States Senator for four terms. Harry Jr. came to California in 1854 and immediately took up his law practice in Nevada City. Soon thereafter he moved to Downieville in Sierra County. He was enormously popular and in 1857 was elected District Attorney. As his popularity grew he was soon induced into running for State Senator. He did and won. This letter is to his mother telling of his political wishes and hesitations. He tells her that the incumbent, Kirkpatrick, has endorsed him and that he thinks winning the elections is an actual possibility. He writes - "All considered I am wavering. I will leave the matter open until the {/} comes in from Washoe, which will be next week, it is more likely I will be lured off by the trumpet call of this war into the Constitutional Rights of the States and the People of the States against the dangerous sectional doctrines of Douglass-ism and Republicanism." He also writes much about the Platform of John Breckinridge for President. In a lighter vein he writes - "A burglar entered my room and stole my watch and $.50 from my pocket. I awoke and flushed the felon and gave chase, had no forearm or could have shot him, and have finally lost my pet, my old companion." Thornton did win the election.When the Civil War broke out, Thornton gave a famous speech on the Senate floor in Sacramento defending the South. Along with many other Democrats in office at that time, he quit his position after his speech and left for the South to join the Confederacy. He was promoted rapidly, eventually making the rank of Colonel. After the war, he removed to Nevada and teamed up with John Garber to form the most powerful law firm in the state.
Seller Inventory # 74708
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