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Knowlton, Henry C. (1838-1926) to [Harlow Higinbotham]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05244 Author/Creator: Knowlton, Henry C. (1838-1926) Place Written: Joliet, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 September 1862 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.7 x 20 cm.

Summary of Content: Addressed only to "Dear Friend." Discusses mutual acquaintances and personal matters. His friend is in Clarksburg, West Virginia and he asks him "What sort of a place is Clarksburg?...Have you seen any guerillas yet!" Discusses the Emancipation Proclamation, "What do you think of Lincoln's 'emancipation proclamation?' To use Artemas Ward's elegant phraseology I think that it is 'hunky' every way." Mentions Stephen Douglas and states "I wish Douglas had lived, but he would rather be dead, than living, to see the degeneracy of some of his professed disciples." On letterhead of the Michigan Central Rail Road Company. Recipient's name is from an earlier description.

Background Information: Stephen Arnold Douglas was an Illinois politician and the Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln.

Full Transcript: [Excerpt]
What do you think of Lincoln's 'emancipation proclamation'? To use Artemus Ward's elegant phraseology I think that it is 'hunky' every way.
His last proclamation has the approval of ...Stephen A. Douglas or rather Douglas approved a similar proclamation issued by Jackson. I wish Douglas had lived, but he would rather be dead, than living, to see the degeneracy of some of his professed disciples.See More

People: Knowlton, Henry C., 1838-1926
Higinbotham, Harlow, fl. 1862

Historical Era: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

Subjects: Civil WarUnion ForcesPresidentConfederate States of AmericaGuerrilla WarfareMilitary HistoryEmancipationEmancipation ProclamationPresidential Speeches and ProclamationsAfrican American HistoryDemocratic PartyAmerican Statesmen

Sub Era: The American Civil War

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