About this Item
An autograph letter, signed, from former United States Attorney General William Wirt to Robert Walsh, editor of the American Quarterly Review, recommending in glowing terms an essay for publication by future United States Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. The letter, signed "Wm. Wirt" and addressed to "Robert Walsh Esq" of "Philadelphia" at the foot of the text, reads in full as follows: "Baltimore. April 16, 1831. Dear Sir, At the request of the Author, Mr. Salmon P. Chase, of Cincinnati, Ohio, I enclose you an essay [not present here] designed for your Quarterly Review, if it meets your approbation. Mr. Chase is originally of New England. He read law with me in Washington and it is owing to the intimacy between us which grew out of this circumstance, and his not having the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with you, that he has made me the channel of communication. He is an excellent classical scholar of fine attainments, and of unquestionable character and habits. He is a bold & accurate thinker and holds, I think, a vigorous and spirited pen. I am so exclusively occupied with my profession that I do not know how far the train of thought in this Essay may have been anticipated by others: but to me the views are for the most part new and interesting, and are developed with considerable felicity. He is a prompt writer, full of resources & of steady habits of application, and being, as I think, far above the ordinary contributors to periodical works, both in originality and strength of thought and resiliency of style, you would find him, perhaps, a valuable correspondent. But of this you are the best judge. If you approve the essay he would be gratified in having it in the next number of your review. With best wishes for your health, prosperity and happiness, and these of your family, I remain, Dear Sir, very respectfully, Yr obt sert Wm. Wirt." Born in Maryland, William Wirt (1772-1834) had been orphaned by the age of eight. His inheritance enabled him to receive an education, and he went on to practice law in Virginia. In 1807, Wirt won national attention as a member of the prosecution in the treason trial of Aaron Burr. In 1817, President Monroe appointed him Attorney General of the United States, "a position he held for twelve years, through both of Monroe's terms as well as through the troubled administration of John Quincy Adams" (ANB). After graduating from Dartmouth in 1826, Salmon Chase (1808-73) moved to Washington, D.C., where he studied law under Wirt. Chase, a lifelong opponent of slavery, would go on to serve as a United States Senator from Ohio, as the twenty-third governor of Ohio, and was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by Abraham Lincoln, before becoming Chief Justice of the United States (appointed by Lincoln), a position which he held from 1864 to 1873. Chase is perhaps best remembered for having presided over the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson and for bringing about the dismissal of charges of treason against Jefferson Davis. By 1831, when the present letter was written, Chase had completed his studies and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to practice law. As one biographer explains, "Within six months of his arrival in Cincinnati [Chase] had proposed the establishment of a lyceum.In the Cincinnati American, he invited participation by 'all mechanics, manufacturers, merchants, and professional men who may be willing to contribute or desirous to acquire useful knowledge.' By January 1831, there were 120 members, many of whom volunteered to offer courses or deliver individual lectures" (Blue). "Chase himself gave three talks on subjects that interested him. The first lecture commented on the scientific discoveries of Galileo, the second addressed the impact of machinery on society, and the third was about the life and career of Britain's chief justice Lord Brougham. All were so well received that Chase decided to explore a further measure of local, even national visibility by seeking to have them.
Seller Inventory # 66833
Contact seller
Report this item
