Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Mosby, John S. (1833-1916) to Gaston

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03216 Author/Creator: Mosby, John S. (1833-1916) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 October 1904 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.5 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy

Mosby, assistant attorney in the Department of Justice, refers to a journal and pictures which should have been previously transmitted but were not. Refers to Hood and Munsey, who were supposed to have sent the items, and to Miss Julia. Discusses a case before a grand jury (possibly regarding the Ku Klux Klan) in which Thomas Goode Jones, a federal judge on the United States District Court in Alabama, discussed "the protection due to the negro." Referring to Jones, states "I agree with his sentiments but hardly think the Supreme Court will agree with him ... But his charge to the Jury will have a good effect if it causes the U.S. grand juries to indict a lot of fellows for lynching negroes - for the U.S. government is a holy terror to that class." Discussing the Presidential election of 1904, declares that nobody expects the election of Democrat Alton Brooks Parker. Possibly referring to United States Senator James Thomas Heflin, Mosby states "Heflin has been a good card for the Republicans & they have played him for all he is worth." Refers to Joel Barnett, Daisy, Julia, and General Rucker. Written on Department of Justice stationery. Refer to related letter GLC01653, in which Mosby discusses the photographs he wishes to forward to Gaston.

John Singleton Mosby was a prominent Confederate Colonel from Virginia who was particularly successful in gathering intelligence. He fought on the Confederate side despite his disapproval of slavery and secession. Subsequent to the war, he became an active Republican in order to try to help the South, and became a friend of Ulysses S. Grant, serving in his administration. James Thomas Heflin (1869-1951) was a vocally racist Senator from Alabama.

Oct: 19th 1904.
Dear Gaston:
Your two letters recd. I did not receive the Journal [struck: & of C] [inserted: because] Hood did not send it to me. Munsey has not sent me the pictures he promised is the reason I have not sent them to you & Miss Julia. I shall write him today to send them to me. I read Jones deliverance to the grand Jury about the protection due to the negro - I agree with his sentiments but hardly think the Supreme Court will agree with him in [inserted: his] opinion on the constitutional question. But his charge to the Jury will have a good effect if it causes the U.S. grand juries to indict a lot of fellows for lynching negroes -- for the U.S. Govt. is a holy terror to that class. No one has the slightest Expectation of Parker's Election. Did you get the Star with an Extract from your letter to me? Heflin has been a good card for the Republicans & they have played him for all he is worth. The [struck: y] [inserted: Democrats] wish they had never heard of him - Tell Joel Barnett to apply restoratives & to keep Heflin alive. My love to Miss Julia & Miss Daisy. Yours Truly,
Jno: S. Mosby
(over)
[2] Since writing the foregoing I have recd. a letter from Genl. Rucker - He is down on Heflin - I sent him both of my interviews on Heflin - As Heflin has been such a valuable ally for the Republicans it wd. be very ungrateful for them to unseat him - My kind regards to Peter.

Gaston, fl. 1904
Mosby, John Singleton, 1833-1916
Barnett, Joel, fl. 1904
Heflin, James Thomas, 1869-1951
Hood, fl. 1904
Julia, fl. 1904
Munsey, fl, 1904
Parker, Alton Brooks, 1852-1926
Rucker, General, fl. 1904
Jones, Thomas Goode, 1844-1914

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources