Item 22a: Letter from G[eorge]. M[ifflin]. Dallas to H[endrick]. B[radley]. Wright, 1844 June 19
Item — Box: 11, Folder: 22a
Dates
- Created: 1844 June 19
Creator
- Dallas, George Mifflin, 1792-1864 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Good.
Measurements:
9 ⅝ in. x 7 11/16 in.
Description:
This is a letter from George Mifflin Dallas to Hendrick Bradley Wright on June 19, 1844. In this letter Dallas is writing to Wright informing him that he met with someone and spoke to him regarding a specific matter in Congress. Dallas was told by a secretary, likely Secretary of the Senate Asbury Dickens, that the offers made between the members of Congress were peremptory, that there would need to be compromise for the lowest possible terms of agreement. Dallas notes that Dickens discusses how his predecessor, likely Walter Lowrie, received numerous contracts on the matter, but never followed up on them. The second part of the letter seems to be trying to recruit people for support of their efforts in Congress (and support for the party), being strategic and showing pride and participation in the Democratic party, specifically attending the Democratic Convention. One month prior to this letter, in May 1844, Wright would attend the 1844 Democratic National Convention, where Dallas secured his nomination for Vice President of the United States. Although Dallas did not attend, he was still nominated. George Dallas, was born in Pennsylvania in 1792. He is best known for serving as vice president of the United States from 1845 to 1849. Dallas was a mayor in Philadelphia, U.S. minister to the United Kingdom, and was even elected to the American Philosophical Society. The recipient of this letter, H[endrick] B[radley] Wright, was born in Pennsylvania in 1808. Wright would go on to study law and serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Later in his life he voiced his opinion on labor concerns and in 1871 Wright wrote a book on it, A Practical Treatise on Labor. At the time of receiving this letter from Dallas, Wright did not actively hold a position in politics, but was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in May 1844.
Location:
West Point, New York
Transcription:
My Dear Sir,
I had written to the Secretary before you left
the City. Your letter of the 15. Instant reached me yesterday, and I took the
opportunity furnished by my visiting him, on his way to West Point, last night
to introduce the subject. He, at once, told me that it was impossible: -that the
Act of Congress was peremptory in its language:- that he could give no
contract, of any amount, without asking proposals and then deciding for the
lowest and best offer:- and that he had felt himself obliged to recall several
contracts of the sort given by his predecessor but not compleated[sic].
The canvass[sic] that for goes bravely on. I think you will
have reason for permanent gratification and pride in having presided at a
Democratic Convention which, by an unpremeditated and unexpected but most
fortunate movement, gave an irresistible impulse to the spirit of harmony. Without
caring to enquire more about your candidates than enough to ascertain them
to be confirmed democrats, the party, every where and just as rapidly as
the news spreads, join with enthusiasm to uphold the cause.
I am truly & resp[ectfully]. y[ou]rs
G. M. Dallas
19. June 1844.
H. B. Wright Esq.
BACK: Geo. M. Dallas 1844 Politics
BACK: Geo. M. Dallas 1844 Politics
Creator
- Dallas, George Mifflin, 1792-1864 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu