CROCKETT, David "Davy" (1786-1836). Autograph letter signed ("D. Crockett") to the publishers Messrs. Cary & Hart, Washington, D.C., 6 February 1835. 4to, small chip to one corner , otherwise in very fine condition. CONGRESSMAN CROCKETT TO HIS PUBLISHERS, NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE ALAMO. A letter full of Crockett's characteristic misspellings, written a scant month before the end of his political career as a Tennessee Congressman. He complains to his Philadelphia publishers Cary & Hart that the book they are preparing to publish is still not ready, and arranges for a speech he gave in Boston to be sent to them: "I regret Extreemly that you have not got the work ready agreable to contract But I hope you will not think Hard of me as I had my part ready in time and if Mr. Clark had not Benn taken down [ill] I have no doubt but that he would have his done. I called on him...and he red [read] me a letter from you speaking of the printed speech at Boston. I had got Mr Sargent of Boston to procure it for me and...did not get it. I have this morning sent to Genl Davis of Boston to procure a Coppy and enclose it to you as soon as posable. The Genl was with me when I made the Speech and I hope he may get it and send it to you...Mr Clark sais he will finish in a few days and send it all on to you." Crockett had already attained public notoriety, and his 1834 Narrative of the Life of David Crockett had gone through several large editions. Its sequel, apparently being written with the cooperation of "Mr. Clark" as editor or ghostwriter, was published later this year, entitled An Account of Co. Crockett's Tour to the North and Down East...Written by Himself (Sabin 17565). It too proved popular with the American public. How much of the book actually was "written by himself" has always been open to question, but it is unclear whether the Clark named in this and other letters functioned merely as editor or actually undertook much of the writing. "To what degree the autobiographical writings...were his own cannot be said, but it is noteworthy that they bear little resemblance, either in substance or manner, to such of his letters as have come down to us" (DAB) A month after this letter Crockett was defeated for re-election to Congress. In November 1835 he went to join the fight for Texas' independence, helped in the heroic 13-day defense of the Alamo, and was killed there, less than a year after the present letter.
CROCKETT, David "Davy" (1786-1836). Autograph letter signed ("D. Crockett") to the publishers Messrs. Cary & Hart, Washington, D.C., 6 February 1835. 4to, small chip to one corner , otherwise in very fine condition. CONGRESSMAN CROCKETT TO HIS PUBLISHERS, NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE ALAMO. A letter full of Crockett's characteristic misspellings, written a scant month before the end of his political career as a Tennessee Congressman. He complains to his Philadelphia publishers Cary & Hart that the book they are preparing to publish is still not ready, and arranges for a speech he gave in Boston to be sent to them: "I regret Extreemly that you have not got the work ready agreable to contract But I hope you will not think Hard of me as I had my part ready in time and if Mr. Clark had not Benn taken down [ill] I have no doubt but that he would have his done. I called on him...and he red [read] me a letter from you speaking of the printed speech at Boston. I had got Mr Sargent of Boston to procure it for me and...did not get it. I have this morning sent to Genl Davis of Boston to procure a Coppy and enclose it to you as soon as posable. The Genl was with me when I made the Speech and I hope he may get it and send it to you...Mr Clark sais he will finish in a few days and send it all on to you." Crockett had already attained public notoriety, and his 1834 Narrative of the Life of David Crockett had gone through several large editions. Its sequel, apparently being written with the cooperation of "Mr. Clark" as editor or ghostwriter, was published later this year, entitled An Account of Co. Crockett's Tour to the North and Down East...Written by Himself (Sabin 17565). It too proved popular with the American public. How much of the book actually was "written by himself" has always been open to question, but it is unclear whether the Clark named in this and other letters functioned merely as editor or actually undertook much of the writing. "To what degree the autobiographical writings...were his own cannot be said, but it is noteworthy that they bear little resemblance, either in substance or manner, to such of his letters as have come down to us" (DAB) A month after this letter Crockett was defeated for re-election to Congress. In November 1835 he went to join the fight for Texas' independence, helped in the heroic 13-day defense of the Alamo, and was killed there, less than a year after the present letter.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
