James, Nathan & Catherine. Autograph Letter Signed to Their Son, Mentioning the United States Secession (1860-1861) and a Conflict between Native Americans and Mormons, Apparently in the Utah Territory. 2 June 1860.

Octavo (ca. 19x12 cm). 3 pp. Brown ink on laid paper bifolium, blind-stamped monogram in the left upper corner. Fold marks, paper slightly age-toned, otherwise a very good letter.

An interesting early private letter mentioning the United States Secession and conflicts between Native Americans and Mormons in the Utah Territory. Written by a Resident, possibly of Illinois (the letter mentions “Goshen,” which could be the town of Goshen, Ill.), the letter is addressed to his son, who possibly lived in the Utah Territory or in the area, which could be impacted by an unfolding conflict between “Indians” and “Mormons.” Written with numerous spelling mistakes, the letter offers a personal testimony of the United States Secession, mentioning that a “company” of “Union folks” who arrived in his town will “string them rite of” if anyone “say any thing about sesesion here. <…> Nothing but stars and strips here.” Overall an important early source on the history of the United States Secession and the events leading to the American Civil War.

Excerpts from the letter (all spelling is original):
“Dear son and daughter, I take my pen in hand to let you now that we received your leter and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well. We are all well at present and I hope these few lines will find you all the same fo ther has […?] very bad some times so it is heard [hard?] for to get along.
We should like to see you both very much. If there is a going to be war there we expect you will be here before long, at least we heard that there war a going to be. We heard that the Indians and Mormons War in there and they had give the folks three months to leave or fight. We want to no whether it is so or not. There was a Company went from here, there all union folks. Here they ar sent be any other way if they say any thing about sesesion here. If they do they will string them rite of. Nothing but stars and strips here.
Cordelia is down to Goshem[?] to work. She hasn’t bin of this good while. We had a leter from Tom and they are all well. Elisa is in Illinois. We had a leter from her and she was well. She is out to work and gets a dolar and a half a weak. John’s folks are all well. Mother and bother [brother?] was down there last Sunday and wants to see you so bad. She says I does I will see he now. <…> Wages is a 1 dolar a day in the rail [?] road shop. We had a leter from George and they are all well and a going well. So no more at present. Write as soon as you get this. So good by. Nathan James, Catharine James.”.