Confederate secretary of war under Jefferson Davis. Rare ALS, three pages on two adjoining 8 x 10 sheets of lightly-lined blue paper, August 31, 1858. Letter to Congressman John Letcher, who within a few years would become Confederate Governor of Virginia. Seddon writes to him seeking support for Roger Pryor’s newspaper, The South. In part, “That part of the State rights’ party - Gov. Wise for selfish ends, has so distracted the Democracy that division and distrust has taken the place of harmony and confidence…we must sustain ‘the South’ or be without an organ to defend and Enforce the principles of our cause now that the attack is so violent and intrigue is so rife…some assistance is needed to sustain it…It is desirable that Pryor should have an active partner…your interest has not suffered in this section from the cowardly and insidious attacks of the Enquirer…My two counties will be in the convention to cast a unanimous vote for you. It will be a bright day when the present regime passes away….” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, some scattered light discoloration and show-through from the ink and a small area of paper loss to top right. R&R COA.
