US Andover MA 27 DEC 1830 Washington DC FREE Red circular postmark "ANDOVER Ms. DEC 27" & "FREE" franking. Rev. Leonard Woods to Hon. Edward Everett; urging temperance reform in Congress & protesting Indian removal treaty violations.

This outstanding 1830 political and social reform letter was written by Rev. Leonard Woods, President of Andover Theological Seminary, to Congressman (later Governor, Secretary of State, and famed orator) Edward Everett in Washington, D.C.. It addresses two major national controversies of the Jacksonian era: promoting temperance among members of Congress and fiercely protesting the federal government's policy of Indian Removal and violation of Native American treaties.

Summary for Printing

• Date Letter Was Sent: December 27, 1830 (Datelined December 24, 1830)

• Country of Origin: United States

• Country of Destination: United States (same)

• Town Sent From: Andover, Massachusetts

• Town Sent To: Washington, District of Columbia

• Distance Between the Two: Approximately 430 miles

• Significant Philatelic Details: Red circular town postmark reading "ANDOVER Ms. DEC 27" with matching red straightline "FREE" handstamp, sent under congressional free franking privilege granted to Member of Congress Edward Everett.

• Names of Sender and Receiver:

  • Sender: Rev. Leonard Woods (Professor/President at Andover Theological Seminary)

  • Receiver: Hon. Edward Everett (Member of Congress)

• Sociological, Historical, Genealogical & Interesting Facts:

  • Indian Removal Act Protest: Written months after the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, Woods expresses outrage over federal Indian policy: "Can it be that our National Government shall be guilty of so abominable & so hateful a thing, as to disregard & violate the high obligation of treaties, & thus disgrace the nation in view of all Christendom... & expose us all to the judgments of heaven?"

  • Temperance Movement in Congress: Urges Everett to lead a campaign to make the consumption of distilled spirits "unfashionable among the members of Congress", citing Woods' long involvement with the American Temperance Society.

  • Key Historical Figures:

    • Edward Everett (1794–1865): Massachusetts Congressman, Governor, President of Harvard, U.S. Secretary of State, Senator, and featured orator at Gettysburg in 1863 alongside Abraham Lincoln.

    • Leonard Woods (1774–1854): First Professor of Christian Theology at Andover Theological Seminary (1808–1846) and a founder of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and American Temperance Society.

Transcription & Analysis

Transcription

[Page 1]

Theol. Sem. Andover Dec 24, 1830

To the Hon. Edward Everett,

My Dear Sir,

I thank you for your kindness in sending me a copy of Sewall's Address, which I regard as among the best which have been published on the subject. It must afford you, & every one who loves his country, great pleasure to observe the progress of the Temperance reformation. And I assure you, it fills my heart with no ordinary satisfaction, as the subject has been specially interesting to my feelings for a long time, & as I have been intimately connected with all the operations of the Am. Tem. Society from the first. — And now Sir, let me say to you, that I cannot but consider it of great importance to the character & influence of our national Government, & to all the public interests entrusted to them, that the same reformation should be extended to all the Members of Congress, & that I cannot think of any man who could have more prospect of success in his endeavours to promote such a refor-

[Page 2]

mation at Washington, than you. Would it not be worth the while to take advantage of the strong current of public opinion on this subject, & to make a serious, well directed effort to render the use of distilled liquor unfashionable among the members of Congress? Cannot the various sorts of argument, which may be directed against the practice of drinking ardent spirits, be made to reach their love of their country, or their love of themselves — their reason, their conscience, or their ambition? Could not many be induced to unite their influence? Could not a sufficient number be found to render it respectable? — I refer the subject wholly to your judgment, & doubt not that you will take pleasure in doing whatever is practicable in so good a cause.

I feel a lively interest in the proceedings of Congress, especially in whatever shall be done respecting the Indians. — Can it be that our National Government shall be guilty of so abominable & so hateful a thing, as to disregard & violate the high obligation of treaties, & thus disgrace the

[Page 3]

nation in view of all Christendom & in view too of the pagan world, & expose us all to the judgments of heaven? — Is there any prospect that better measures will be pursued?

Be assured, my dear Sir, that those who labor to promote the sound influence of moral principle in our National Government will be sustained in their efforts by the good wishes & fervent prayers of all enlightened & sincere Christians in the land.

Excuse me, Sir, for occupying a few moments of your time, which I know is filled up with very important duties. — I have been anxious to learn whether your health has been restored, as I have heard of your being sick. — The Lord give you wisdom, & render your attempts to serve your country abundantly successful, & strengthen you for the arduous work to which you are called — I am, Sir, with great respect & affection, yours

Leonard Woods

I cannot have a heart to request you to answer this letter, — though if it should be found consistent with your health, & your public & private duties, — it would give me pleasure to receive a letter, & to write to you occasionally in relation to matters of common interest.

[Address Leaf / Page 4]

Free Hon. Edward Everett Member of Congress Washington D. C.

[Postmark / Markings]:

• Red circular handstamp: ANDOVER Ms. DEC 27

• Red straightline handstamp: FREE

• Outer docket: 24 Dec. 1830. L. Woods.

Social, Historical & Genealogical Significance

1. Indian Removal Act of 1830: Following Andrew Jackson's signing of the Indian Removal Act in May 1830, New England religious leaders—particularly at Andover and the ABCFM—spearheaded national moral opposition against the forced relocation of the Cherokee and other southern tribes. Woods' passionate plea reflects the evangelical outrage over violated federal treaties.

2. Congressional Temperance Reform: In the early 1830s, alcohol consumption in American political life was widespread. Efforts by leaders like Woods and Everett culminated in the formation of the Congressional Temperance Society in 1833.

3. Leonard Woods & Edward Everett: Captures direct correspondence between two towering New England intellectual and political figures of the early 19th century.