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A strong engraving issued to commemorate the Compromise of 1850. This political consensus was seen as the resolution of the tempest over the issue of free and slave states that had been tearing the Union apart. The individuals involved in the compromise are shown seated in a formal setting. The two major protagonists, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, and "The Great Compromiser," Henry Clay are most prominent, shown around a bust of Washington. Webster and Calhoun have their hands on a copy of the United States Constitution. Arrayed around them are other important participants, including Lewis Cass, Winfield Scott, Sam Houston and Millard Fillmore. Liberty blesses the group from above, while in the background the curtains part to reveal the Utopia that the strengthened Union was seen as now proceeding towards. In the lower right corner Fillmore is shown holding an American shield above the 'thrown down' royal crown and scepter, a symbol of America's struggles of the past. A wonderful document of this important agreement in American history. Alas, despite its hopeful prognosis, this compromise was ultimately a failure, and it was soon to be followed by much bloodshed. $1500

"From a Sketch by an eye witness." [The Attempted Assassination of the President of the United States, Jan. 30, 1835.] New York: George Endicott, 1835. Lithograph. 9 x 12 1/4. Trimmed close to neatline all around. With publisher imprint, but missing title and text. Crease and short tear in bottom, but overall very good condition.
Though Abraham Lincoln was the first President assassinated, Booth's act was not the first attempt at such a deed. On January 30, 1835, President Andrew Jackson attended the funeral of Congressman Warren R. Davis of Mississippi. After the service, Richard Lawrence, an unemployed painter, came out of the crowd and tried to fire a shot at Jackson, but the gun misfired. He then drew a second pistol, which also misfired. Jackson raised his walking stick to defend himself, but Lawrence was overpowered by those around and later was declared insane. This providential escape of the President is mostly forgotten, but it is interesting to speculate how different history would have been had Lawrence been successful. $650
A broad perspective showing the assembled delegates for the Democrat Nation Convention. $85

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