Hartford Convention Marshall B. Coyne Collection Album 1814-1815. The collection consists of thirty-one letters and documents from all the members of the Hartford Convention of 1814-1815 as well an autograph letter signed by Gouverneur Morris, condemning the convention and another autograph letter signed by Elijah Parish calling for them to pursue a separate peace with England. The delegates include Hodijah Baylies, Timothy Bigelow, George Bliss, George Cabot, Nathan Dane, Calvin Goddard, Chauncey Goodrich, William Hall, Jr., Benjamin Hazard, James Hillhouse, Stephen Longfellow, Jr., Daniel Lyman, Joseph Lyman, Edward Manton, Mills Olcott, Harrison Gray Otis, William Prescott, Rodger Sherman, Nathaniel Smith, Zephaniah Swift, Joshua Thomas, John Treadwell, Daniel Waldo, Samuel Ward, Benjamin West, Samuel Wilde, and Theodore Dwight in addition to Gouverneur Morris and Elijah Parish. The years of the material range from 1780 to 1825 and vary in size from 6.25" x 3.75" to 7.75" x 13". Housed in a blue binder with gilt stamping and custom blue cloth slipcase. Overall size is 14.75" x 16.5". They contain letters discussing financial records, a warrant, a forged deed, a probate matter, ordering bushes and flowers for a home, and other various legal dealings. Two of special note include: Theodore Dwight Autograph Letter Signed. Three pages, 7.75" x 9", Hartford; April 10, 1838. Addressed to H. Ketchum. Dwight was the secretary of the Hartford Convention and a cousin of Aaron Burr. It reads in part: "...VanBuren is already sinking under the perpetual batteries which have been played off upon him; & if for two seasons more, this kind of warfare would be kept up, there will be nothing of him left..." Signed, "Theodore Dwight." Gouverneur Morris Autograph Letter Signed. Four pages of a bifolium, 7.75" x 9.75", Morrisania; January 10, 1815. Addressed to Representative Moss Kent. It reads in part: "...You will have seen that the Hartford Convention has been prudent...a council of Rats being...applauded for proposing to tie a Bell round Pussy's Neck, which, giving seasonable Notice of her approach, would enable every one to take Care of himself...You, However, who are somewhat of a Yankee, will see, in the modest Propositions from Hartford Matter more serious than the Rattling of Words. Yankees like to make what they call a fair Bargain and will, I guess, easily take up the Notion of bargaining with the national Government...which will...amount to a severance of the Union...I am told that, even now, there are Federalists who wish for Office. This seems strange. They resemble Philistines struggling for a Seat in the Temple of Dagon while Sampson was pulling it about their Ears..." Signed, "Gouv. Morris." On June 18, 1812, President Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. In the presidential election of 1812, every New England state except Vermont voted Federalist, against Madison, the Democratic-Republican nominee. The Federalists were opposed to Madison's mercantile policies and the War of 1812. The British blockaded the New England ports which depended on trade with Europe. The war had a crippling effect on their fishing industry and foreign commerce. On October 18, 1814, the Massachusetts legislature issued a call to the other New England states for a conference in Hartford, Connecticut. Representatives were sent by the state legislatures of Connecticut (7), Massachusetts (12), and Rhode Island (4). One delegate from a county in Vermont and one delegate each from two New Hampshire counties were elected by Federalists. The meetings of the 26 representatives were held in secret from December 15, 1814 to January 5, 1815. There were delegates who contemplated secession and a separate peace with Britain. The convention adopted a strong states' rights position and proposed seven constitutional amendments that would redress what the New Englanders considered the unfair advantage given the South under the U.S. Constitution. The news of the Treaty of Ghent ending the war and of Gen. Andrew Jackson's victory at New Orleans arrived at about the same time as the ending of the Hartford Convention. Because the meetings were secret, there were rumors that it was a secessionist convention which irreparably damaged the reputation of the Federalist Party. Many called it treason. In the presidential election of 1816, the Federalists only won Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Delaware, losing the other 34 states to the Democratic-Republicans and James Monroe. It was their last presidential campaign. Shortly thereafter, the Federalist Party dissolved. Condition: Lightly toned, rubbed, and soiled throughout. Occasional ink smudge, pencil notation and closed tear. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved