Legare, Hugh Swinton (1797-1843) to James T. Austin
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02504.27 Author/Creator: Legare, Hugh Swinton (1797-1843) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 December 1837 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.3 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy
Possibly to James Trecothick Austin, a Massachusetts resident active in local politics. Thanks Austin for a copy [of a speech or an article]. Notes that the topic of the speech (possibly related to anti-slavery) will soon bring trouble on the United States, and that Austin's reformers will ignite unrest.
Legare was a lawyer who served as United States Representative from South Carolina 1837-1838.
[Draft Excerpt]
My dear sir,
I owe you many thanks for [inserted: a copy of] your [writing as well as just remarks at Faneuil Hall on the 8th. inst. If I am not very much mistaken, the painful subject referred to [written] is about to bring great troubles for this happy country. You have a lively conception of the passions awakened at the South by agitation of this sort - & I very much fear that at some disastrous moment, they will be kindled into a conflagration by the wicked doings of "reformers." The instinct of self preservation cannot be aroused, in a whole people, with impunity.
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