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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03678.01 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1850 |
| Title | Samuel Shethar to J. H. Barrett Relates that an article by E. D. Barber in the "Brandon Post" provided misinformation regarding the Clayton Bill of 1848 |
| Date | 1 August 1850 |
| Author | Phelps, Samuel Shethar (1793-1855) |
| Recipient | Dundas, James |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Phelps, a Whig Senator from Vermont, writes to J. H. Barrett, possibly Joseph Hartwell Barrett. Relates that an article by E. D. Barber in the "Brandon Post" (a newspaper from Brandon, Vermont) provided misinformation regarding the Clayton Bill of 1848. Phelps argues that this bill prohibited the extension of slavery, and was an equivalent to the Wilmot Proviso. He vehemently defends his position on the bill against Barber's false reports, emphasizing his opposition to the spread of slavery. Also argues that Barber misrepresented Horace Greeley's opinion of the bill, and thinks the bill's unpopularity was due to the fact that it was misunderstood. Defends Daniel Webster (Barber asserted Webster would not vote for California as a free state). Discusses other facts of the Senate, mentioning Dawson, Bradbury, Walker, and Pearce (presumably Senators William Dawson, James W. Bradbury, Isaac P. Walker, and James A. Pearce) in relation to the omnibus bill (regarding the extension of slavery). |
| Subjects | Politics Whigs Government and Civics Law Slavery African American History American West Congress Westward Expansion Compromise of 1850 |
| People | Phelps, Samuel Shethar (1793-1855) Barrett, Joseph Hartwell (1824-1910) Clayton, John M. (John Middleton) (1796-1856) Greeley, Horace (1811-1872) Dawson, William Crosby (1798-1856) Bradbury, James Ware (1802-1901) Walker, I. P. (Isaac Pigeon) (1815-1872) Pearce, James Alfred (1804-1862) Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) |
| Place written | Washington, D.C. |
| Theme | Slavery & Abolition; Law; Government & Politics; Westward Expansion; African Americans |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Phelps was a Senator from Vermont 1839-1854. Barrett, from Ludlow, Vermont, was a lawyer, teacher, and the editor of several newspapers. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide |