Sackets Harbor Postmaster Influence Used to Free Young, Wild Soldier from 50 Lashes; Congressman Asked to Appeal to President John Tyler
- Used
Seller: RJM Autographs and Antiques, Boston, MA, U.S.A.RJM Autographs and Antiques
AbeBooks seller since February 4, 2025
Condition: Used
£ 307.33
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
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
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Sackets Harbor Postmaster Influence Used to Free Young, Wild Soldier from 50 Lashes; Congressman Asked to Appeal to President John Tyler
RJM Autographs and Antiques
Boston, MA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since February 4, 2025
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 2 to 5 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 9.82 | £ 9.82 |
Payment methods
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Store description
RJM Autographs and Antiques is owned and operated by Bob Minnocci, who has been collecting and selling historic documents, autographs, books and antiques 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. We sell to collectors, dealers, museums, historical societies, universities all over the world. Every item is guaranteed to be authentic. We encourage inquiries about our inventory or items you would like to sell.…
Specialty
among others., signed books, first edition, autographs, historic documents, EphemeraSeller's business information
RJM Autographs and Antiques
MA, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
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. Most of our business is conducted on line. We sell on a number of web platforms.
We will show items by appointment only at 662 Massachusetts Avenue, #6, Boston, MA 02118. Our email address is bminnocci@gmail.com. We can also be reached by telephone: 617-236-4893. Our goal is to please every customer. If you buy something from us and are unhappy with the purchase, please call or email us immediately.
Our focus is to provide a broad range of material from many categories, including Revolutionary War, Civil War, Colonial Americana, abolitionist, slavery, political and Americana in general. We rarely offer sports and entertainment material. Every item we sell is guaranteed to be authentic. Inquiries are always welcome regarding our material and items you might want to sell. We publish a monthly newsletter. Let us know if you would like to receive it.
We're happy to offer deferred billing to institutions and dealers.
We offer a flexible layaway program designed to meet the collector's budget and collecting proclivities.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from 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 withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal 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 last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from 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 withdraw from this 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 RJM Autographs and Antiques, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., +1 857-222-4149, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal 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 withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
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.