<<Yulee, David Levy>> (US Senator from Florida, 1810-86). Autograph Letter Signed written to Governor John Branch.
Auction 98 |
Thursday, June 16th,
2022 at 1:00pm
Fine Judaica: Rare Printed Books, Manuscripts, & Autograph Letters
Lot 61
(AMERICAN-JUDAICA).
<<Yulee, David Levy>> (US Senator from Florida, 1810-86). Autograph Letter Signed written to Governor John Branch.
Washington: 15th September 1841
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
PRICE REALIZED $950
On March 4, 1841, Yulee took his seat as a territorial delegate in the U.S. House of Reps., the first person of Jewish ancestry to serve in the U.S. Congress. His presence in Congress was immediately disputed, his enemies arguing that he was not a U.S. citizen, having been born in the Virgin Islands. At the time of this letter his legislative activities were suspended, pending resolution of his citizenship. It was resolved in his favor in 1842. The frustration at his legislative impotence comes through clearly in this letter. Upon Florida Statehood in 1845 he became a U.S. Senator, (the first Jewish U.S. Senator, and among the first two U.S. Senators from Florida). Pro slavery, he supported Florida secession from the Union. At the end of the war he was imprisoned for helping Jefferson Davis attempt to escape. He is known as ‘Father of Florida Railroads.’