Moore, Thomas Patrick (1797-1853) to Francis P. Blair
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03209.14 Author/Creator: Moore, Thomas Patrick (1797-1853) Place Written: Harrodsburg, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 November 1833 Pagination: 2 p. : address : free frank : 25.8 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
In a fight for his congressional seat, says of his opponents, "If there is this side of Hell such a gang of low gamblers, depraved sots, and dirty fools as Lancaster furnishes, I have not seen that place." Asks Blair for help against Letcher, who wishes to take his seat.
Thomas Patrick Moore served in the War of 1812, was a congressman from Kentucky. President Jackson appointed him Minister Plenipotentiary to New Grenada until April 1833. When he returned, he presented credentials as a Member-elect to Congress, but Robert P. Letcher contested the election, and Moore eventually lost.
Francis P. Blair was the publisher of the Globe, the official paper of the Democratic party for fifteen years.
I have just returned from Lancaster (late at night) to a [rich] child (dearer to me than a thousand elections ambitious as I am) [] I will not annoy or distress you by a detached acct of the difficulties [thrown] in our way. If there is this side of Hell such a gang of low gamblers, deprave sots, and dirty fools as Lancaster furnishes, I have not seen that place. But we will [] half the [] out I hope & that will do. Letcher admitted to me that he meant to move to amend the return either by himself or another substituting his name for mine. I again repeat send me a [] what [] I write [] who can be rallied to my aid.
I need not tell you that I [entreat] you to do anything in your power & [] promptly, above all [] when he has a quart of old Monongahela in him.
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