To Lawrence Taliaferro - photo 1
To Lawrence Taliaferro - photo 2
To Lawrence Taliaferro - photo 3

To Lawrence Taliaferro

Lot 175
27.01.2023 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 2 520
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 887953
Lot 175 | To Lawrence Taliaferro
Estimate value
$ 1 500 – 2 000
TAYLOR, Zachary (1784-1850). Autograph letter signed ("Z Taylor, Major") to Lt. Lawrence Taliaferro, Louisville, 4 January 1819.

Two pages, 228 x 183mm. Laid into a larger sheet, with integral transmittal leaf addressed in his hand and franked "On Service Z Taylor Major 3rd Regt U.S. Army & Sup[e]r[intenden]t R[ecruiting]. Service" (separated folds and losses to address panel repaired).

Writing to the man who would officiate Dred Scott's marriage to Harriet Robinson. Taylor writes to Lt. Taliaferro in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he had been recuperating from an unnamed illness, writing that while he it would give him great pleasure to welcome him, yet insists he makes a full recovery before crossing the mountains to reach him in Louisville. Taylor complains of having "no funds or carrying on the recruiting service, nor do I believe any will be placed in my hands for that purpose, until it is determined what the present Congress will do with the Army. If they do not rain the pay, I am in the hopes they disband us..." Taliaferro later served as an Indian agent at Fort Snelling, Minnesota from 1820 through 1839, where he negotiated a treaty between the U.S. and Dakota tribes. It was there, in 1837, that Taliaferro officiated the civil ceremony wedding Dred Scott to Harriet Robinson. Taliaferro owned Robinson, and following their marriage, he transferred ownership to Dred Scott's enslaver, Dr. John Emerson. When Dred and Harriet Scott sued for their freedom from Emerson's heirs, culminating in the landmark Supreme Court case of Dred Scott v Sanford, supporters would point to this civil marriage as evidence that Scott was being treated as a free man.
Artist:Zachary Taylor (1784 - 1850)
Place of origin:USA
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.01.2023 – 27.01.2023
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
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