[1844 Autograph Letter Signed by James Gettys McGready Ramsey of Mecklenburg, Tennessee concerning Politics in East Tennessee, the Press, and the Recent Election of James K. Polk as U.S. President].

“May prosperity again return to the honest yeomanry of the land…”


Good political letter by J.G.M. Ramsey (1797–1884) of Mecklenburg, Tennessee, physician, businessman, and author of The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century (1853). Interestingly, within the letter Ramsey refers to the press as “the enemy.”

The letter signed is addressed to William M. Lowry, Esq., Postmaster of Greenville, Tennessee. It concerns politics in East Tennessee, the press, and the recent election of President James K. Polk who defeated Henry Clay:

The vote in Tennessee is a victory to us—tho It has been cast for Polk’s opponent—still under the circumstances of the case it is highly honorable to Polk to have cut down the majority of 1840 to 130—Jones it seems is a stronger man than Clay—We may be much obliged to him for beating our candidate for Governor as by this means we have him now for President which would not in all probability have been so if he had succeeded in the races of 41 & 43. ... Another thing we have reason to be proud of changes enough have been made to give us the Legislature next year by a handsome majority— & the Governor too if we bring out the proper man—At the present I think A.V. Brown is that man— & next to him Nicholson. (p[1])

Ramsey discusses the need for stronger newspaper support for his political beliefs in Eastern Tennessee, proposing that two existing newspapers combine to form a “strong paper” in Knoxville. Seeking Lowry’s advice, Ramsey seems to refer to the press as “the enemy”:

In any event it will be necessary for us to give our own Journals a better support in Tennessee than we have heretofore done—The enemy has ever since 1835 had a great advantage over us from having the control in a great degree of the political press—We should take this weapon out of their hands before the August elections. (p[2])

“Ramsey made an indelible mark on the political, economic, and social development of antebellum East Tennessee. He was a physician, public official, religious leader, banker, railroad advocate, scholar, and staunch secessionist, one of the most accomplished East Tennesseans of his era.”¹


Description: [1844 Autograph Letter Signed by James Gettys McGready Ramsey of Mecklenburg, Tennessee concerning Politics in East Tennessee, the Press, and the Recent Election of James K. Polk as U.S. President].

Mecklenburg, [Tennessee]. November 23, 1844. [3]pp. A.L.S. Quarto. Bifloium, usual folds, red wax seal; very good.

[3728178]

Note. 1. James Gettys McGready Ramsey | Tennessee Encyclopedia accessed online. Also see his entry in the DAB.


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