Lot 103

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Description:

Z. Taylor ALS Pay for Soldiers and "what the present Congress will do with the Army" to L. Taliaferro, Who Officiated Dred Scott's Marriage

A handwritten letter from Zachary Taylor to fellow soldier Lt. Lawrence Taliaferro, advising him on travel after poor health. 2pp of a bifolium, measuring 7" x 9" with the last page tipped into a larger sheet measuring 8.25" x 10.75" overall. Signed "Z. Taylor Maj. 3rd Regt U.S. Army & Supr. R. Service." Written from Louisville, Kentucky and dated January 4, 1819, Taylor assures his friend that his visit will be welcome, but advises that he wait to travel lest he risk his ailing health. Taylor also briefly discusses recruitment and the need for Congress to increase military wages. The letter is marked on the address page that it was received 20 days later, on January 24th. With flattened mail folds, light uneven toning, and ink stains. With a large and bold signature. The address page has some loss of paper from where the wax seal was broken, along with uneven toning, soiling, and foxing. Overall very good.

The letter in part:
"…I think it would be imprudent for you to attempt to cross the mountains, before May or June, by which time, I am in hopes with good nursing, & the aid of the remedies you are applying you will be enabled to undertake the journey without risking your health. As yet I have no funds for carrying on the recruiting service, nor do I believe any will be placed in my hands for that purpose, until it is determined what the present Congress will do with the Army. If they do not raise the pay, I am in hopes they will disband us…"

Taylor was clearly wary of Congress' involvement in the military as he had already been burned by the system a few years prior. During the War of 1812, Zachary Taylor distinguished himself during the Siege of Fort Harrison and was promoted to the full rank of major in 1815. May 15. However, soon after his promotion Congress downsized the army, and Taylor was reduced to his previous rank as captain. Refusing to accept the demotion, Taylor decided to resign from the army rather than accept a lower rank. It would be one year later before President James Madison secured Taylor's recommission as a major on May 17, 1816. Three months after this letter was sent, Taylor was once again promoted and received the rank of lieutenant colonel in April 1819.

Lawrence Taliaferro (1794-1871) was a fellow U.S. officer who served as an Indian agent at Fort Snelling, Minnesota from 1820 through 1839. He is also well-remembered in history for his involvement in the Dred Scott case of 1857. Taliaferro was the owner of at least 21 slaves, one of them, a servant named Harriet Robinson, being the wife of Dred Scott. Taliaferro had in fact officiated the marriage of Scott and Robinson and gave Harriet to Scott's master so that the couple could live together as husband and wife. Many historians believe that Taliaferro's officiating of the marriage provided vital credit to the Scotts' claim to freedom.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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March 15, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

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