Robert Wormeley Carter II (1792-1861), "Sabine Hall, " to George Washington Lewis, 3 letters, 1846/1858

Containers:

Box 1, Folder 11

Extent:

1 folder(s)

Scope and content:

Carter, while declining to be a candidate for political office, expresses grave concern over the recent action by the United States, termed by him the "rapid acquisition of foreign territory by the proclamation of our royal masters pro-consuls? What has become of the Constitution, and those who were so zealous in its defense?" in his letter of December 10, 1846.

In his letter, March 26, 1857, he protests the creation of abolitionist territories and states from public lands by Congress without reference to specific documents or acts, dates and the amounts of such lands transferred from the "common treasury" and the resulting disadvantages to the "old states" as a result.

The third letter continues the discussion about the territories, their constitutions, and their eventual admission to the United States, his surprise over the recent election in Kansas on the slavery provision in their constitution, and the lack of interesting bills in the Legislature (1858 January 2).

Biographical / historical:

As shown in these three letters, "In 1846 and again ten years later there were efforts to pull Carter out of political retirement, the first time as Whig nominee for the State Senate, the second as Union Candidates for Congress (Virginia's 8th District). In each instance Carter politely but firmly declined to be a candidate. See, for example, his letter to the "Richmond Whig", July 21, 1856" (quoted from a note from the finding aid for MSS 1959, -a, -c in UVA Special Collections).

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