AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED [THE LETTER ALSO SIGNED, IN A DIFFERENT HAND, 'H. HOTCHKISS'] FROM NEW HAVEN TO JOSIAH SOUTHERLAND, ESQ., HUDSON, NEW YORK, JANUARY 5, 1850: "SIR, YOURS OF THE 2D WAS RECD YESTERDAY STATING THAT WE WITH THE OTHER WITNESSES MUST BE IN HUDSON THURSDAY MORNING 10TH JANY UNLESS WE HEAR FROM YOU TO THE CONTRARY... "AS OUR MAIN DEPENDENCE FOR INFORMATION IS ON THE TELEGRAPH YOU WILL PLEASE TO ATTEND TO IT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING TO GIVE US TIME TO GET THE WITNESSES READY TO LEAVE HERE EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING & IN ORDER TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE RECD YOUR COMMUNICATION... "WE HAVE ASCERTAINED FROM W.L. ORMSBY OF 116 FULTON ST, NEW YORK THAT HE ROLLED IN THE DIES TO THE NORTH RIVER PLATE FOR JAMES CLARK 122 1/2 FULTON ST BOTH ENGRAVERS. MR. ORMSBY APPEARS TO BE WILLING TO GIVE THE INFORMATION WHICH HE POSSESSES ON THE SUBJECT, BUT MR. CLARK DOES NOT. WE OBTAINED FORM MR. ORMSBY A PROOF IMPRESSION TAKEN FROM THE PLATE AFTER HE HAD ROLLED IN THE DIES, WHICH WE SHALL BRING WITH US - A WITNESS THAT WE HAVE NOT NAMED TO YOU BEFORE WHOSE TESTIMONY IS VERY IMPORTANT WILL ACCOMPANY US. WE SHALL BE THERE PROMPTLY AS YOU DIRECT - BUT DON'T MAKE US COME IF IT IS NOT NECESSARY - YOURS RESPECTFULLY/ H. SANFORD, H. HOTCHKISS"
10" x 15-1/2", folded to 7-3/4" x 10". [4]pp. Letter on page [1], interior pages blank, and addressed on final page to Southerland. In ink manuscript. Wax seal, small tear on blank area of rear leaf [opening of the seal]. Light wear. Very Good. This letter concerns the high-profile counterfeiting..... More