Lot 26
President Fillmore Plans Pardon Re Largest Ever U.S. Slave Escape Attempt. Autograph letter signed as President, 1 page, 8¾ x 7¾", Washington City, April 17, 1852. To Secretary of State Daniel Webster: " Will you please to send up the papers connected with the application of Daniel Drayton and Edward Sayres for a Pardon. They are imprisoned in this District." Pristine except for three tiny spots. Beautifully penned and signed.
Daniel Drayton and Edward Sayres were involved in the largest recorded escape attempt by slaves in the United States. Called the Pearl Incident, it took place on April 15, 1848. Drayton and Sayres (pilot of the schooner "The Pearl"), were paid by unknown parties to help slaves escape from Washington, D.C. They took 76 slaves on board "The Pearl" and planned to sail down the Potomac and up Chesapeake Bay to freedom. The wind, however, prevented the schooner from sailing up Chesapeake Bay, so they anchored for the night. This delay gave the slave owners time to realize their loss and, with information given them by a Judas named Judson Diggs, came after the slaves, who were taken captive, along with Drayton, Sayres, and English, the cook of the schooner.
As punishment, the slave owners sold all 76 slaves to Georgia and Louisiana slave traders. Drayton, Sayres, and English were put on trial, with Horace Mann as their lawyer. English was released, but Drayton and Sayres were convicted and went to prison because they were unable to pay their fines. After four years in jail, Senator Charles Sumner wrote to President Fillmore, asking him to pardon the men. President Fillmore agreed to the pardon and wrote this letter to Secretary of State Daniel Webster to initiate the pardon.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500.
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| Realized $3,795 |
