American politician and attorney (1810-1886) who was the first person of Jewish ancestry to be elected and serve as a United States Senator. ALS signed “D. Levy,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, September 15, 1841. Letter to Governor John Branch, with good political content. In part: ”Col. King wrote you of the rejection of Allston—that was all well—but everything else has gone wrong. [William H.] Ware is appointed in his place without consulting me. The Judges against us—the Marshall of W[est] F[lorida] Co. against us. The Secy. of the Territory Mr. [Joseph] McCants removed without a word of intimation to me. I have been set aside virtually. Just about the time of these things the smoke which my enemies had raised enveloped me, I stood alone. And I presume the President thought I was not worth attending to. But—I shall set my coulter deep. I shall go back with a spirit of war and will yet show whether I am to be regarded or not in these matters. The impression was created here that I was a mere chance delegate. The choice of a minority only- and that I will lose my seat and not be heard of again. I suppose this notion reached the President. I am mortified to be obliged to write you this, but so it is. Genl. [Samuel] Parkhill is dead. I don’t know but that the very fact of my having recommended Baily will prevent his appointment… will start South and spend a day or two with you." In fine condition.
On March 4, 1841, Yulee took his seat as a territorial delegate in the U.S. House of Reps., the first person of Jewish ancestry to serve in the U.S. Congress. His presence in Congress was immediately disputed, his enemies arguing that he was not a U.S. citizen, having been born in the Virgin Islands. At the time of this letter his legislative activities were suspended, pending resolution of his citizenship. It was resolved in his favor in 1842. The frustration at his legislative impotence comes through clearly in this letter. Upon Florida Statehood in 1845 he became a U.S. Senator (the first Jewish U.S. Senator, and among the first two U.S. Senators from Florida). Pro slavery, he supported Florida secession from the Union. At the end of the war he was imprisoned for helping Jefferson Davis attempt to escape. He is known as 'Father of Florida Railroads.'
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