Lot 113
Fremont, General John C (1813-1890) Western explorer called "The Pathfinder"; U.S. Army officer who was fired by President Lincoln after Frémont declared martial law in Missouri and ordered the emancipation of slaves in that state; first presidential nominee of the newly-formed Republican Party (1856). Autograph letter signed ("J.C. Frémont), one page, 5 x 8 in., 54 William St. (New York), April 13 (1866 or '67). He writes mysteriously to Thomas S. Ridgway in Boston, "I have received your confidential note. of the 8th and will think over the subject & let you know what conclusion I arrive at. Yours truly J.C. Frémont…" 54 William St., New York, was the address of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company, of which Frémont was president during 1866 and '67. He and some associates bought it from the state of Missouri in June 1866 and reorganized the assets of the railroad as the Southwest Pacific Railroad in August 1866. Less than a year later (June 1867), the railroad was repossessed by the state of Missouri after Frémont was unable to pay the second installment on his purchase.
We don't know who Ridgway was but there were a couple of Thomas Ridgways who were abolitionists, one of whom was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1868. Since we can place this letter in the time-period prior to that convention, it is possible that Ridgway was asking Frémont to throw his hat once again into the presidential ring. Estimated Value $300 - 500
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| Realized $360 |
