Lot 255: JACOB THOMPSON

JACOB THOMPSON(1810 - 1885) Confederate politician who first warned of the planned relief of Fort Sumter, served under Beauregard and Pemberton, and later was sent by Davis to Canada to prepare subversive acts such as the St. Albans Raid and the burning of New York. Lengthy, fine content A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Oct. 28, 1867, concerning findings in a report of Congress and a law for reimbursement that Thompson had taken over $800,000 in bonds and had turned them over to Confederate authorities. He comments that the report and law were "filthy papers" and that such charges were a pretext for the confiscation during the Civil War of his 123 slaves, burning his plantation. Additionally, he comments on the reconstruction of the South, in part: "...We have passed through a fearful time and the end is not yet. I have come to speculate on the course of public events in the Country. Although President [Andrew] Johnson's course is open to very severe criticism yet he seems to have some conscience and to admit there is some binding obligations an oath to support the constitution. Republicans believe in neither constrictions nor oath. They have but one God and that is power and like Peter and nigger's God all people are required to bow & worship on penalty of death....When the constitution & laws prevail and civil rights are restored to the Whites, I will return when I will come to Washington to face those who hate and revile me...". Tipped to a larger sheet, very good condition.