Sold by RJM Autographs and Antiques, Boston, MA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller since 4 February 2025
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
MADISON BARRACKS at Sackets Harbor, New York, was founded because of the area s strategic importance and has served the nation in nearly every war since the War of 1812. It has been considered one of the best military posts and a key to America s northern defense. In 1841, a young man, seemingly of great means, found himself on the wrong side of army officials and was locked up in the guard house there, awaiting a court martial and 50 lashes, after surrendering for having deserted. Anxious to secure his release, he pled his case to J. THOMAS ANGEL, an influential and wealthy official of Sackets Harbor. Angel helped to establish Sackets Harbor Bank in 1834. The young man claimed to be Harmar P. Denny, son of a congressman by the same name from Pennsylvania, although military officials refer to him as F. Shepard. Highly sympathetic to the young man s case, Angel relates his story in an 8" x 10", 3 pp, ALS to Congressman HARMAR DENNY (1794-1852) of Pittsburgh. Angel noted that since the soldier was worth more than $5,000, he cannot be retained in military service against his will. He added, however, that he was not an attorney or familiar with the law. To assure that the letter was delivered to the congressman, Angel convinced ZENO ALLEN, postmaster of Sackets Harbor, to send the letter under his free frank, to his counterpart postmaster in Pennsylvania, hoping to assure its delivery to the Congressman. This underscores the influence that postmasters exercised between each other at the time. The letter contains two letters to the congressman, Angel s long narrative describing the young man s plight and a plea from Allen on the verso advocating for the young man. It also contains a note pleading with the postmaster on the address leaf to deliver or forward it to the congressman. Finally, a docket note from the congressman or his representative states how he handled the situation. Punctuation added for clarity. First, Angel s explanation of the case to the congressman: "The only apology I have to make for thus introducing myself to you is the detail I am about to make. A few weeks ago, I became acquainted with a soldier in the garrison at this place. He was then in confinement in the guard house awaiting his trial for desertion. Soon after he had his trial & proceedings of the Court Martial was sent to Portland to Gen. Eustis for approval about the time he sent for me. I called at the Guard House & he gave me the following account of himself. He told me his real name was Harmer P. Denny (he is called by the name of Shepherd) and that his Father was a man of wealth & influence, had been or was a member of Congress & lived in Alleghany Town opposite Pittsburgh, that his own mother was dead, that she left him a large estate in Boston, among other [things] was the Burley House so called, that this father had given him many advantages at school & college, had once sent him to Europe with a tutor, that he went to Liverpool, London, then to France & Spain then home. He went into the state of Ohio, there got married & in Sept 1839 started for Boston & Cleveland, Ohio being beset was induced to enlist & did from that place he came here & joined the 8th regt in Capt Bownel s company, that company in the winter 39 & 40 were stationed at Ogdensburgh from which place he deserted & went to Boston & attended to his property & employed an agent & in Jan. last returned to this place & gave himself up as a deserter. He says that Capt. H. Clair Denny was his uncle (I was acquainted with Capt. Denny of the U.S. Army now resigned). He says he has been what we call a wild child or in other words has been reckless of consequences & now to date mourns his folly. On the recital of his parentage & situation I became interested in his case & immediately wrote General Eustis & got Judge Allen, the Post Master of this place to join me in requesting the Gen. if consistent to remit the penalty or if he could not, to have the infliction of punishment postpo.
Seller Inventory # SCK-HRB-PST-NFL
RJM Autographs and Antiques is owned and operated by Bob Minnocci, who has been collecting and selling historic documents and autographs for more than 25 years. Our focus is to provide a broad range of material from many categories, including Revolutionary War, Civil War, abolitionist, slavery, political and Americana in general. Every document is guaranteed to be authentic. We're pleased to sell through many websites. Inquiries are always welcome regarding our material and items you might want ...
If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION
Statutory Right to cancel
You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, RJM Autographs and Antiques, 662 Massachusetts Avenue, #6, 02118, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., 1 617-236-4893, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or RJM Autographs and Antiques, 662 Massachusetts Avenue, #6, Boston, Massachusetts, 02118 U.S.A., 1 617-236-4893, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of cancellation
The right of cancellation does not apply to:
Model withdrawal form
(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
To: (RJM Autographs and Antiques, 662 Massachusetts Avenue, #6, Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, U.S.A., 1 617-236-4893)
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),
Ordered on (*)/received on (*)
Name of consumer(s)
Address of consumer(s)
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)
Date
* Delete as appropriate.
We take great strides to pack items well. Shipping costs depend on the item and the destination. Any items shipped outside the United States are typically sent by Registered Mail for safety.
| Order quantity | 2 to 5 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 9.68 | £ 9.68 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.
