Shields, James, 1806-1879 to John Chathen
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03170 Author/Creator: Shields, James, 1806-1879 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 June 1850 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.3 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Shields writes as a U.S. Senator from Illinois to Chathen at Jacksonville, Illinois. Argues that Henry Clay opposes the extension of slavery and is no more a pro-slavery man than Thomas Hart Benton (both Clay and Benton were U.S. Senators). Also notes that Chathen has made the mistake of labeling compromise (the Compromise of 1850) as a pro-slavery measure. Argues that the Compromise is opposed violently by the south, and will be defeated by southerners, because they see it as an enactment of the Wilmot Proviso. Contains various pencil notes on verso, apparently unrelated to Shields's letter.
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