Lot 2275
Liberia 1839 (Sep 22) letter from Monrovia, datelined folded letter from Governor Thomas Buchanan, red "Norfolk, Va Jan 16" c.d.s. and matching "ship" handstamp, red manuscript "27" rating to New York City, blue manuscript "pr Ship Saluda", an interesting letter talking of his service to Africa, he states that in the first session of the colonial legislature, an enactment was passed prohibiting the introduction of alcoholic spirits into the colony, thus setting an example that older and wiser republics would do well to follow, additionally he states that "slave traffic has received a blow from which it will never recover in this quarter, but its harmful effects are still cursing this unhappy land in every direction beyond our territories." Very interesting letter from the early Commonwealth period, Very Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
Thomas Buchanan was the first Governor of the Liberian Commonweath from Apr 1, 1839 to Sep 3, 1841. He passed away while in office at the young age of 33 from a fever. Bassa Cove was later renamed Buchanan in his honor. His older brother, James Buchanan, was the fifteenth President of the United States from 1857 to 1861.
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| Realized $635 |
