EXTREMELY RARE HANDWRITTEN LETTER SIGNED BY KIT CARSON.

EXTREMELY RARE HANDWRITTEN LETTER SIGNED BY KIT CARSON. Christopher Carson 1809-1868 An American frontiersman, trapper, scout, Indian agent, and folk hero. After an early childhood in Boone’s Lick, on the Missouri frontier, he ran away from home, joining an expedition to Santa Fe, where he learned to trap for furs and fight Indians. In the 1840’s, he served as a guide with John C. Fremont’s three expeditions to Oregon and California and became a national hero for his daring in several battles for the conquest of California. Returning to private life, Carson farmed and herded sheep in Taos, and after 1853, served as a U.S. Indian agent to the Ute tribe. Served in the Mexican War and fought for the Union in the Southwest during the Civil War. Brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers (March 13, 1865) for gallantry in the battle of Valverde and for distinguished service in New Mexico. In 1866, he was named Commander of Fort Garland, Colorado, but was forced to resign the following year due to bad health (November 22, 1867) Honorably mustered out (November 22, 1867) and died May 23rd, 1868. One of the more memorable Carson legends took place at a site known as Adobe Walls. Carson, together with a small military command was pursued by a large band of approximately 100 Comanche Indians. They took refuge in the remnants of an old Spanish missionary known as Adobe Walls and there, managed to hold off 1000 ferocious Comanche warriors. One of the great legends of western lure. Rare 3 page letter by Christopher “Kit” Carson talks about the raging Gold Rush and the recent passage of the 14th Amendment, granting suffrage to black males in the territories: “A Bill has passed in Congress granting suffrage in the Territories to the ‘Negro’ – ‘Bully for the Nagar’ – ‘Query’ – will they not amalgamate next.” “My dear Colonel By your Epistle on January 8th: I learn you are having quite a ‘Gay time’ with the fair sex. I am much pleased to know you are enjoying yourselfs: Youth is the halcyhon period of our existence and I believe the Almighty in his kind of providence designed that it should be enjoyed.” “I am much pleased to hear that you have quit ‘drinking’ for I know from experience that you will enjoy better health from total abstinence.” “The post is exceedingly dull, nothing transpiring to enliven it, except the regular routine of duty.” “The ‘Gold Fever’ is raging furiously in this section caused by the discovery of some Placer diggings situated North west and five miles distant from the ‘Arroyo Hondo’ [near Taos, New Mexico]; the prospect of these diggings is said to yield four cents to the pan on the surface; if the mines yield as they prospect it will be a great thing for this section of the country.” “I think of going down shortly and see for myself and if it looks favorable I shall take up a claim: all the officers here are going to take claims, and if you desire one, notify me and I will take up a claim for you: the claims are the entire width of the ‘Gulch’ and 200 feet in length: the Gold is of an excellent quality.” “My little boy Charley is at the post with me, my family the last I heard from them were well.” “ I am proud to hear that the lodge have appointed a ‘Committee’ to reconcile all the brethren: this I hope will stop all the petty newspaper bickering: which is a disgrace to perpetuate upon any civilized community.” “A Bill has passed in Congress granting suffrage in the Territories to the ‘Negro’ – ‘Bully for the Nagar’ – ‘Query’ – will they not amalgamate next.” “ Give my personal regards to all enquiring friends, and accept the same yourself from Yours Fraternally C. Carson Brevet Brig Gen U S Vols” With two explanatory notes written on the verso of page three, both by Charles McClure (d.1902), who first served as Captain, Commissary of Subsistence (Volunteers) from April 28, 1862 – September 1, 1866, then as Captain, Commissary of Subsistence (Regular Army) from August 17, 1866. Promoted to Major and served as Paymaster (August 30, 1880) then promoted to Lieut. Colonel and served as Deputy Paymaster General (February 2, 1901). He retired February 20, 1902. “Lt. Whatley wrote this letter for old Kit and put in the paragraphs about drinking and ‘gay time with the fair sex’ to annoy me. He was a dissolute fellow himself. Old Kit could only sign his name and was in matters epistolary at the mercy of his amanuensis (secretary) C. McClure” “This letter is signed by ‘Kit’ Carson. He was at the time Col. Of the 1st New Mexican Volunteers and was Brevetted Brig Gen’l U.S. Volunteers for conquering the Navajo tribe of Indians. Chas. McClure Capt & C.S U.S.A Boston Oct 16/78.” Carson makes some comments about life at the fort, then brings up two subjects of important historical interest: the Gold Rush and the rights of the Negro. Concerning the first, he states that placer deposits (waterborne deposits of gravel or sand containing heavy ore minerals – gold, platinum, etc. – which have been eroded from their original bedrock and can be washed out) have been discovered near Arroyo Hondo (in northern New Mexico, near Taos) The prospects are so favorable that Carson considers taking a claim, for he writes: “… the claims are the entire width of the ‘Gulch’ and 200 feet in length: the gold is of excellent quality.” In 1858, the mining frontier opened following the discovery of gold in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. The Pikes Peak Gold Rush had already taken place (1858-59) farther to the north. On the second subject, the granting of suffrage to the Negro in the territories, Carson writes that “…a Bill has passed Congress granting suffrage in the territories to the ‘Negro’.” He is referring to the 14th Amendment, passed by Congress on June 13, 1866 and then sent to the states for ratification (June 16). It’s ratification by each Southern state was made a condition of restoration to the Union during the Reconstruction period (the First Reconstruction Act of March 2, 1867, stated that a condition for readmission was ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment granting suffrage to black males). States that refused black suffrage would face the prospect of reduced representation (this section of the amendment has never applied). In the 14th Amendment, for the first time in our country’s history, national citizenship was defined, and included Negroes. Then on January 8, 1867, a bill enfranchising blacks in the District of Columbia became law over the President’s veto (Johnson vetoed the bill on the grounds that each state must enfranchise it’s own citizens; Congress overrided his veto). Congress also extended the manhood suffrage to the territories (January 31, 1867). This achievement of black suffrage was a historic (and rapid) evolution of Congressional attitudes, arising both from the crisis created by the obstinacy of President Johnson and the white South, and the determination of the Radicals, blacks, and eventually Southern Unionists not to accept a Reconstruction program that had stopped short of this demand. Accompanied with a certificate of authenticity signed by Charles Hamilton (dated June 4, 1992). CONDITION: Both pages with 2 horizontal seams, or fold marks. Generally in good condition with extremely small losses on the edge. The letter writers handwriting is very readable and crisp, and Carson’s genuine signature also strong and bold. 4-40873 JJ3 (90,000-120,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2320	$0.00	EXTREMELY RARE HANDWRITTEN LETTER SIGNED BY KIT CARSON. Christopher Carson 1809-1868 An American frontiersman, trapper, scout, Indian agent, and folk hero. After an early childhood in Boone’s Lick, on the Missouri frontier, he ran away from home, joining an expedition to Santa Fe, where he learned to trap for furs and fight Indians. In the 1840’s, he served as a guide with John C. Fremont’s three expeditions to Oregon and California and became a national hero for his daring in several battles for the conquest of California. Returning to private life, Carson farmed and herded sheep in Taos, and after 1853, served as a U.S. Indian agent to the Ute tribe. Served in the Mexican War and fought for the Union in the Southwest during the Civil War. Brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers (March 13, 1865) for gallantry in the battle of Valverde and for distinguished service in New Mexico. In 1866, he was named Commander of Fort Garland, Colorado, but was forced to resign the following year due to bad health (November 22, 1867) Honorably mustered out (November 22, 1867) and died May 23rd, 1868. One of the more memorable Carson legends took place at a site known as Adobe Walls. Carson, together with a small military command was pursued by a large band of approximately 100 Comanche Indians. They took refuge in the remnants of an old Spanish missionary known as Adobe Walls and there, managed to hold off 1000 ferocious Comanche warriors. One of the great legends of western lure. Rare 3 page letter by Christopher “Kit” Carson talks about the raging Gold Rush and the recent passage of the 14th Amendment, granting suffrage to black males in the territories: “A Bill has passed in Congress granting suffrage in the Territories to the ‘Negro’ – ‘Bully for the Nagar’ – ‘Query’ – will they not amalgamate next.” “My dear Colonel By your Epistle on January 8th: I learn you are having quite a ‘Gay time’ with the fair sex. I am much pleased to know you are enjoying yourselfs: Youth is the halcyhon period of our existence and I believe the Almighty in his kind of providence designed that it should be enjoyed.” “I am much pleased to hear that you have quit ‘drinking’ for I know from experience that you will enjoy better health from total abstinence.” “The post is exceedingly dull, nothing transpiring to enliven it, except the regular routine of duty.” “The ‘Gold Fever’ is raging furiously in this section caused by the discovery of some Placer diggings situated North west and five miles distant from the ‘Arroyo Hondo’ [near Taos, New Mexico]; the prospect of these diggings is said to yield four cents to the pan on the surface; if the mines yield as they prospect it will be a great thing for this section of the country.” “I think of going down shortly and see for myself and if it looks favorable I shall take up a claim: all the officers here are going to take claims, and if you desire one, notify me and I will take up a claim for you: the claims are the entire width of the ‘Gulch’ and 200 feet in length: the Gold is of an excellent quality.” “My little boy Charley is at the post with me, my family the last I heard from them were well.” “ I am proud to hear that the lodge have appointed a ‘Committee’ to reconcile all the brethren: this I hope will stop all the petty newspaper bickering: which is a disgrace to perpetuate upon any civilized community.” “A Bill has passed in Congress granting suffrage in the Territories to the ‘Negro’ – ‘Bully for the Nagar’ – ‘Query’ – will they not amalgamate next.” “ Give my personal regards to all enquiring friends, and accept the same yourself from Yours Fraternally C. Carson Brevet Brig Gen U S Vols” With two explanatory notes written on the verso of page three, both by Charles McClure (d.1902), who first served as Captain, Commissary of Subsistence (Volunteers) from April 28, 1862 – September 1, 1866, then as Captain, Commissary of Subsistence (Regular Army) from August 17, 1866. Promoted to Major and served as Paymaster (August 30, 1880) then promoted to Lieut. Colonel and served as Deputy Paymaster General (February 2, 1901). He retired February 20, 1902. “Lt. Whatley wrote this letter for old Kit and put in the paragraphs about drinking and ‘gay time with the fair sex’ to annoy me. He was a dissolute fellow himself. Old Kit could only sign his name and was in matters epistolary at the mercy of his amanuensis (secretary) C. McClure” “This letter is signed by ‘Kit’ Carson. He was at the time Col. Of the 1st New Mexican Volunteers and was Brevetted Brig Gen’l U.S. Volunteers for conquering the Navajo tribe of Indians. Chas. McClure Capt & C.S U.S.A Boston Oct 16/78.” Carson makes some comments about life at the fort, then brings up two subjects of important historical interest: the Gold Rush and the rights of the Negro. Concerning the first, he states that placer deposits (waterborne deposits of gravel or sand containing heavy ore minerals – gold, platinum, etc. – which have been eroded from their original bedrock and can be washed out) have been discovered near Arroyo Hondo (in northern New Mexico, near Taos) The prospects are so favorable that Carson considers taking a claim, for he writes: “… the claims are the entire width of the ‘Gulch’ and 200 feet in length: the gold is of excellent quality.” In 1858, the mining frontier opened following the discovery of gold in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. The Pikes Peak Gold Rush had already taken place (1858-59) farther to the north. On the second subject, the granting of suffrage to the Negro in the territories, Carson writes that “…a Bill has passed Congress granting suffrage in the territories to the ‘Negro’.” He is referring to the 14th Amendment, passed by Congress on June 13, 1866 and then sent to the states for ratification (June 16). It’s ratification by each Southern state was made a condition of restoration to the Union during the Reconstruction period (the First Reconstruction Act of March 2, 1867, stated that a condition for readmission was ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment granting suffrage to black males). States that refused black suffrage would face the prospect of reduced representation (this section of the amendment has never applied). In the 14th Amendment, for the first time in our country’s history, national citizenship was defined, and included Negroes. Then on January 8, 1867, a bill enfranchising blacks in the District of Columbia became law over the President’s veto (Johnson vetoed the bill on the grounds that each state must enfranchise it’s own citizens; Congress overrided his veto). Congress also extended the manhood suffrage to the territories (January 31, 1867). This achievement of black suffrage was a historic (and rapid) evolution of Congressional attitudes, arising both from the crisis created by the obstinacy of President Johnson and the white South, and the determination of the Radicals, blacks, and eventually Southern Unionists not to accept a Reconstruction program that had stopped short of this demand. Accompanied with a certificate of authenticity signed by Charles Hamilton (dated June 4, 1992). CONDITION: Both pages with 2 horizontal seams, or fold marks. Generally in good condition with extremely small losses on the edge. The letter writers handwriting is very readable and crisp, and Carson’s genuine signature also strong and bold. 4-40873 JJ3 (90,000-120,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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