Lot #519

Samuel Francis Smith

Description

Smith defends an attempt to replace ‘America’ as the national song, “as ‘America’ has gone to foreign parts, this government sh’d adopt the other as a suitable. Not much!”

Scarce ALS signed “S. F. Smith,” one page, lightly-lined both sides, 5 x 8, January 15, 1895. Letter to Mr. Secor. In part; “I think your project will be greatly helped by the present excitement about a ‘testimonial’; and, so you say, keeping quiet is strength. I keep out of the affair as much as I can leaving the strong committee to their own planning. This morning I see a Roman Catholic paper from Chicago, repeating the foolish story about Mr. Pope getting the ‘original’ of ‘My Country’ & c. On a postal card, I have set him right. Mr. Pope can’t take any better care of the ‘original’ than you or I, or any other well-behaved gentleman. But the Catholic paper printed ‘Thy will, not mine,’ with newspaper blunders, as usual, proposing, as ‘America’ has gone to foreign parts, this government sh’d adopt the other as a suitable. Not much! God’s will is not to enthrone in this world the Scarlett woman sitting on seven hills. See her fate in the book of Revelation…But the ‘original,’ the scrap of waste paper on which it was written, & the glorious country for which it stands, will remain.” In the middle of the letter Smith pens two stanzas of Isaac Watt’s ‘Babylon.’ In fine condition, with a uniform shade of light toning and a rough left edge. Smith letters are uncommon, particularly with such fabulous content regarding his classic composition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: June Monthly
• Dates: #388 - Ended June 20, 2012

This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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