RARE 1835 Future Vermont Governors Letter: PISTOL DUEL, Martin Van Buren, SCOTUS For Sale

This dense and historically significant 1835 autograph letter signed (ALS) offers an incredible, real-time window into Jacksonian-era politics and Congressional dueling culture. Key contents include:
Firsthand Account of a Famous Duel: Features a contemporary, detailed description of the January 1835 duel at the Bladensburg dueling grounds between Virginia Congressmen Henry A. Wise and Richard Coke Jr., noting the pacing, the shots fired, and the cultural commentary on the "noble science of clinking & pistoling."
Roger B. Taney's SCOTUS Nomination: Discusses President Andrew Jackson's controversial nomination of Roger B. Taney to the Supreme Court, accurately predicting that the Senate would block his confirmation due to his "notions of Constitutional law."
The 1836 Presidential Election: References the political maneuvering of "The Magician" (Vice President Martin Van Buren) and the Whig party's reaction to the insurgent candidacy of Judge Hugh Lawson White.
Governor-to-Governor Provenance: Written by Hiland Hall (U.S. Representative and future Governor of Vermont) to John S. Robinson (future Governor of Vermont), anchoring the document in significant state political history.Item Details
Date: January 24, 1835
Location: Washington City (D.C.)
Author: Hiland Hall (1795–1885)
Recipient: John S. Robinson (104–1860) of Bennington, VT
Format: Autograph Letter Signed (ALS), 3 pages with integral address leaf and postmark.Full Transcription
[Page 1 & 2 Excerpt - Politics & SCOTUS]
"There is little going on here of much interest. Mr Taney is before the Senate for Judge of the Sup C. in place of Duval resigned. As the Senate are not much in favor of his last years notions of Constitutional law I should not be surprised if he should fail of a confirmation — tho I know nothing on the subject.
Judge Whites friends are pushing him for the Presidency in earnest — so that the Magician has a prospect of having an opportunity of trying the efficiency of his wand. — How strong Judge Whites pretensions will in the end appear cannot now be determined... We poor Whigs are not entirely neglected in the billing & cooing which is going on..."
[Page 2 & 3 Excerpt - The Wise-Coke Duel]
"An 'affair of honor' which occurred at Bladensburg the day before yesterday has formed a subject for chit chat, especially among the amateurs in the 'noble science of clinking & pistoling' for the last two days. The parties were Mr Wise a member of the house from Virginia, & Mr Coke his predecessor, & competitor at the election... The parties exchanged shots at 8 paces, the ball of Mr Coke striking the ground by the side of Wise, & Wise's ball taking effect by passing thro the arm of his antagonist, & striking, but not entering his side. After picking up Mr Coke the friends interfered, & the parties expressed themselves fully satisfied, shook hands & are now, I suppose, sworn friends forever. So much for an affair which the public sentiment of the South will deem 'highly honorable' to the combatants, but which the judgment of an enlightened age ought to brand with the seal of infamy."Historical Context
This letter captures a snapshot of a deeply divided Washington in 1835. The author, Hiland Hall, was a Whig Congressman observing the bitter partisan fights of the Andrew Jackson administration. His commentary on Roger B. Taney reflects the Whig party's deep resentment over Taney's role in destroying the Second Bank of the United States. Furthermore, Hall's cynical but fascinating description of the Wise-Coke duel provides a rare Northern Whig perspective on the violent "code of honor" that dominated Southern political culture of the era.