Lot
1027 
St. Louis Mo., Jan 10, "indistinct red cds and red manuscript "25" rating on 1842 folded letter to West Boxford Mass., long and detailed letter telling of the many adventures in ascending the Missouri River 250 miles alone in a canoe, and time with the Winnebago Indians, plans to go with the American Fur Company in April and travel up the Yellowstone River and beyond to the West Coast, reads in part "…I will now tell you about the last of the Winnebagoes from 3 to 4 thousand assembled at Fort Winnebago to sell their lands. They were supplied so largely with whisky that they became outrageous & murdered one of the traders. The convention broke up with out making a treaty. Soon after a delegation of chiefs went on to Washington & their expenses paid… Here they were treated with much of respect & by ones noted correctness and entertained into every variety of amusement. Present were made of clothing, equipments & ammunition amidst all this attention, they felt to be men of consequence. They now were consulted upon what terms they would dispose of their lands, being rather scrupulous of their authority they hesitated until their doubts were not…It is as individual as the grass of the land which gave them birth & come by arguments, and will over much less in influence were prevailed upon to treaty away their lands. But when they returned to their friends & wigwams among Praries and hill west of Wiskonsin river, they felt had been fascinated & their friends were dissatisfied with the bargain…" and "…I am at St. Louis on board the Steam Boat Illinois, which is laid up at the levee for the winter…There is now about 20 steamers at the levee & on the river & tributaries, 371 some of these as large as a Man of War, carrying tons of freight…They were knocking niggers off at Auction under the hammer like sheep…" An presently the dressy lady took her stand upon the upper steps of the market, for sale bidders stepped up examined her & joked till the wench was bid off like an ox…", full transcript of letter accompanies", Fine, interesting long travel letter with wonderful content, ex-Beals, Risvold. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $900