Salmon P. Chase, Autograph Letter, Signed

Description

Salmon P. Chase writes a letter concerning contract law.

Chase begins by hoping that “a term of your court” would be “in this city…I have drawn up a petition for the same object.”  He then writes extensively on the Taylor vs Longworth Supreme Court decision concerning a performance of a contract:  “…(Longworth) says that his success does not gratify so much as his triumph over Carneal (a party to the case)….”  Longworth’s son became Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Near the end, Chase writes of the recent death of his son:  “To me, the interest in everything is petty abated by the death of my dear little child.  Wherever I turn, it seems as if there is a dark spot before my vision, but I endeavor to submit to His will.” 

An interesting letter between a sitting and a future Supreme Court Justice. McClean had dissented in the Dred Scott case. 

Excellent; dark and clear (for Chase) ink writing; left edge ragged.                 

Chase, Salmon P. Autograph Letter, signed “S. P. Chase.”  Cincinnati (Ohio):  7 March 1840. 4vo.; 1p.  To “My dear sir” [Hon. John McLean on address leaf, which has the original address crossed out and a new one written in and bears three separate postal payments and cancellations].