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Boston oct 15th 1840

Very Dearest Geo & Elizabeth.

I have recently received two favorable
correspondences from Deerfield and also many friends
are here, say they saw you & family well, am therefore
very glad. George's letter has been in the Post office 2
weeks as the daily advertising post was found
under my name, and felt rejoicing--pronouncing
all well and brisk or busy affairs with good
cranberries and Grapes. I like them very well as
I ate something in this glorious city. altho' all whigs
(hot pots) are very busy to their speeches and politics
let people cry for war or peace with money. Dan. Webster
is a man that makes money by land & loud cheers
for building a Bunker Hill Monument in a full height.
Great Steamer Ships and no war is making against each other
in money but little at present. People says that they
will not have Buren's administrations, because he
Would deceive the Bank affairs & several fighting tigers'
but the good whigs can have all money easy as wool
cutters. no wolf in Sheep skin said better currency $50
on one dollar bill. What is it but people dont like it
or loose a bargain. Gen Harrison, I hope will be fully
entitled for next Presidency. Americans! we are proud
of being unconquered with 5 foreign countries more
a forever independent state and many great men
are friends to us and then never want any War
except money as it was used in ancient Madria
in Rome but how it is ruined to ashes upon Wars-
no man knows how or write one word enough about
it but always little. Dan Webster himself can know best & forever

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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The 1840 Presidential campaign was in full swing when Augustus Fuller wrote this letter to his brother, George, and sister, Elizabeth in October. One of the main campaign issues was the economy. The effects of the panic of 1837-- the nation's first serious depression-- were still being felt across the country. Approximately eight hundred banks closed in 1837, bankrupting many businesses and causing widespread unemployment. President Martin Van Buren, a Democrat, held office at that time and many Americans blamed him for the economic upheaval that resulted in the depression. There had also been diplomatic trouble with Great Britain over Canadian secession and the Maine-Canada border. This is most likely what Augustus refers to in writing about war. Daniel Webster was a leader of the Whig party who had run for president in 1836. He did not have a lot of popular support, so the Whig party nominated William Henry Harrison. Harrison was the general who, in November 1811, had won the Battle of Tippecanoe over the Native people led by Tecumsuh.

 

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Letter to George and Elizabeth Fuller

artist   Augustus Fuller (1812-1873)
date   Oct 15, 1840
location   Boston, Massachusetts
height   10.0"
width   7.75"
process/materials   manuscript, paper, ink
item type   Personal Documents/Letter
accession #   #L04.117


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