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Offered here is an original autograph letter signed by Marcus J. Parrott (1828–1879), dated March 31, 1860, on U.S. House of Representatives stationery.
Parrott served as Delegate to Congress from the Kansas Territory (1859–1861) during the height of the Bleeding Kansas crisis. He was a strong anti-slavery advocate whose work helped secure Kansas’ admission to the Union as a free state in 1861. His correspondence from this era is scarce and highly desirable among collectors of early Kansas, political history, and Civil War–era documents.
In this letter, Parrott writes to Hon. Milton H. Tappan of Amesbury, Massachusetts, introducing his friend and constituent Edward Clark, Esq. of Kansas. Letters of introduction like this were common in 19th-century political culture, but few survive in such clean condition with direct ties to Kansas statehood politics.
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Full Transcription:
Ho of Reps, March 31, 1860
Dear Sir,
I beg to make you acquainted with my friend & constituent Edward Clark Esq. of Kansas. Any attention to Mr. Clark will be regarded as a favor.
Very Truly Yours,
Marcus J. Parrott
Hon. M. H. Tappan
Amesbury, Mass
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Historical Significance:
Marcus J. Parrott: Kansas Territory Delegate, Free-State leader, and key anti-slavery figure in Congress.
Milton H. Tappan: Massachusetts attorney and civic leader.
Date: 1860, just before Kansas achieved statehood and on the eve of the Civil War.
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Condition:
Crisp and clean with strong ink and bold signature.
Embossed House of Representatives seal visible.
Typical light mailing folds; no major flaws.
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A rare, historically important Civil War–era autograph tied to Kansas Territory politics and the fight over slavery.
💯 Guaranteed authentic.
📦 Ships securely packaged and protected.
