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Table of Contents > Federal Period > Lot 84 |
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Lot Number: 84
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $800 - $1,600 Starting Bid: $600 |
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Circa 1830s Superb Content Anti-Immigration 7-Page Essay with Important “Nativist” political parties heated Sentiments |
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c. 1830-1840, Superb Content 7 page Manuscript Essay, highly critical of Immigrants coming to the United States, undated and unsigned, yet very pertinent to the current American Controversy, then being Anti-Irish, Anti-Catholic, Anti-Foreigners, Very Fine. This completely handwritten essay, measuring 5” x 8”, with 7 pages, is undated, yet several portions of the text indicate that it dates from the 1830s to 1840s when Anti-immigration sentiment began to flourish in the U.S. and the issue became heated and prominent during political campaigns. This period was marked by “Nativist” political parties. The essay singles out the Irish by name, whose influx of about a half million people between 1815 and 1845 made them a distinct target for those opposed to immigration, as well as Anti-Catholic prejudice. Written on clean wove period paper in easily readable brown ink, some minor edge irregularity and one page uneven at its bottom edge. Superb historic content throughout. This lengthy essay reads, in short part: "Question - Ought the emigration of foreigners to this country to be encouraged. In a republican government there is an inseparable connexion between the morals of the people and their political existence. No government, however good in theory, can long exist unless its union is cemented by a similarity of manners, of feeling & sentiment and a spirit of unity & regard to the public interest ... the encouragement given to the emigration of foreigners to this country by entitling them to all the rights of citizenship is a measure of policy of which may be reasonably doubted. The advantage proposed is the increase of numbers. But ... we ought to consider the effects which will finally result from the adoption of such a measure and whether it would not be more for the interests of the nation to populate the unsettled territory by the rapid increase of the present stock of inhabitants ... The evils which may in future result from the introduction of foreigners can easily be calculated from our previous experience of them ... The territory of the U. States has been principally settled by the descendants of its native inhabitants and a spirit of enterprise & perseverance in settling & cultivating our territory has been constantly increasing since the war of the revolution. All the western & some of the southern states, which before that period were inhabited only by tribes of ... wandering savages have within the course of a few years been settled, civilized & enlightened principally by emigration from the different parts of the United States. If the situation of the country demands a more rapid settlement, we must look for this accession of inhabitants to emigrations from foreign nations. The measure may at first appear plausible, but if we examine its effects on the manners, character and happiness of the nation, we shall perceive it to be importune. Every government, whether monarchical or republican, has its peculiar principles. The government of this country is distinguished for the free and liberal principles on which it is founded, the manner in which it administered & the success which has always attended it. To these the principles of the European governments are directly opposed. Yet it is from there only that we are to expect emigrations to this country. They will naturally bring with them the principles of the governments they leave, the manners and customs which they imbibed in youth ... it is a notorious fact that most of the crimes which have been committed in the eastern section of this country for a considerable period have been justly charged upon emigrant Irishmen, and the only plea which they offer in excuse is, that America is a land of liberty. These principles together with their language & manners they will commit to their children, the prevalence of which will evidently tend to destroy the unity & peace of the government... But if it be asked why they emigrate to this country... the answer is very obvious. Their ideas of its government are very imperfect as well as false... they appear to imagine to themselves some terrestrial paradise neither regulated by laws or requiring cultivation... We should condemn the policy of holding out the present encouragements to emigration on account of the moral influence which they would exert upon the community... The progress of vice is continually increasing, & the encouragement of emigrants, if they are to be of such a character, is only adding fuel to the flames which shall one day consume the nation..." |
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Lot Number: 84
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $800 - $1,600 Starting Bid: $600 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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