[A volume of manuscript correspondence.]

Hartford, Connecticut, Boston, Mass., 1 June 1804–21 February 1807. 4to (355 x 227 mm), full leather, re-purposed binding with spine title reading “Henry’s Works.” 65 tipped-in manuscript letters, forming 142 pages. 49 letters from Jonathan Wells Babcock; 16 from James Babcock. 1 letter addressed to Elisha Babcock from son James. All with original address leaves.

A volume of correspondence comprising an exchange of sixty-six substantive letters between two Connecticut brothers—one living in Hartford, the other in Boston—concerning their family newspaper, American Mercury; the local politics in their respective regions; their prognoses of Federalism; as well as the broader U.S. political dynamics during Jefferson’s presidency.

Against the grain of the Federalism that dominated New England politics at the time, Jonathan W. Babcock (1780–1808) and James Babcock (1783–1852) held staunch Republican views during the period of Jefferson’s presidency (1801–1809), which saw the rollback of the Federalist program of the 1790s advanced by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Both of these young men welcomed—indeed cheered—the ostensible demise of America’s first political party, whose remnants would nevertheless persist into the 1820s. The Babcock letters offer in-depth and intimate commentary on politics in Connecticut, Boston, and the Nation.

Both brothers worked—in varying capacities—for their father’s newspaper, American Mercury (est. 1784–1833), which was the leading pro-reform Democratic (Democratic-Republican) paper in Connecticut for many years with a reputation for outspokenness. Their father, Maj. Elisha Babcock (1753–1821) was born in Milton, Mass., published the Hampshire Gazette in Springfield as a young man, and served as a major in the American Revolution. In the 1780s he moved to Hartford and began publication of American Mercury in partnership with eminent Connecticut poet, diplomat and politician Joel Barlow (1754–1812), one of the founders of the Hartford Wits. The two were also partners in one of the first paper mills in Connecticut. The paper had a long run, from 1784 to 1833, and remained strong despite competition. In one letter, Jonathan relates to his brother: “We now print about 3500 papers weekly; we do not increase any in our number; nor do I expect we shall in time to come as there is now printed in this state 3 republican papers, besides ours.”

The opening letter, dated 1 June 1804, is written by Jonathan in Hartford to James in Boston, congratulating him on his safe arrival back on the mainland after being at sea—James apparently having served as a common deck hand in various voyages to the West Indies. Jonathan jovially presses him—“you must tell me who these girls were—how far they went—and whether they were ‘smart’ girls.” In the same letter he comments more seriously: “You have doubtless heard of the amendment to the Constitution having been adopted by S. Carolina. This is another heavy blow at Federalism… Ere long, Conn. And Mass. will be the solitary mourners over the manes of departed Federalism.” On 9 June 1804, James—who appears to have studied bookkeeping—writes back, relating that most of the young men in Boston are “warm federalists, [and] for that reason I talk very little on politicks.” He provides an extended quotation of a “high federal gentleman” he has encountered “scandalizing the present administration.” In reply, Jonathan counsels his younger brother to “draw the right conclusion of the Federal party”—telling him “their end draweth nigh” and that “their fate is fixed…they come to it as an ox to the slaughter or a villain to the gallows.” Jonathan was the elder of the two and his letters predominate in terms of both quantity and substance.

The brothers were evidently very close. Jonathan professes to his James in an early letter: “I shall ever feel a pleasure in seeing you happy. I shall always be anxious for your prosperity.” Throughout their correspondence they frequently muse on their romantic lives—a matter they colorfully refer to as “catching and keeping Birds.” There is also much humor in their letters: “Do you know Peggy Buttler? Yes say you, well, Peggy Buttler, yes. Miss Peggy has got a B–a–b–y.” Recurring subjects in their correspondence include: the collecting of Mercury bills in Boston; Jonathan prodding his brother to purchase and send him novels; the management of “our paper”; jointly purchasing New York lottery tickets; the tragic murder of their friend Charles Austin in Boston, August 1806; James’ interest in poetry and study of the French language; the precarious health of their father, who is frequently sick throughout their correspondence; the well-being of other family members, and so on. The phrase ‘steady habits’—which is of Connecticut origin and whose meaning was originally political—recurs throughout the letters; although here it is used by the brothers ironically and quite liberally, in response to its frequent use by the Federalists.

Jonathan—at the behest of his father—writes to James to secure living arrangements and an apprenticeship for another brother, Charles, in Boston. In 1813, Elisha formed a partnership with Charles, becoming E. Babcock & Son. The Mercury was discontinued several years following the death of Elisha in 1833. In one of his final letters, James writes to his brother from aboard the ship Leghorn en route to Jamaica and the West Indies, offering him an in-depth account of the voyage. The final letter, dated 21 Feb. 1807, is written from James in Boston to his father in Hartford. Given Jonathan’s dates, it appears this correspondence may have been broken-off due to a terminal illness that resulted in his early death in 1808—only a year following the final letter included here.

A compelling group of letters by members of a Hartford publishing family reflecting the political shifts during the middle period of Jefferson’s pivotal presidency.

Some Representative Passages:

9 July 1804 It seems by your letter that, our Hartford Federalists celebrated the Independence of this Country, in a manner truly Federal!! They done honor to their party no doubt. It is a mock for them to pretend to celebrate that day. Go on, says we, to them, D— the republicans, curse the French, pray for King George and top off by getting drunk. Persevere in these your “steady habits” until you will finally sink your Party into such abhorrence and disgrace as will be impossible for you to be extricated by this present generation, if by any succeeding one. These are the “supporters of religion,” the “Preservers of Good-order” and the “Friends of an Energetic Government.”—James

13 July 1804 The report of the Committee of Health which you have probably seen in our paper ere this as I sent you one by Mrs. Savage, has produced much conversation among us. Many are highly pleased, some vexed, all agree it is well done… Should any of the Tory printers in Boston publish the toasts given on this occasion, I think it would be well for “Anthony” or Adams & Co to publish the report prefaced by such remarks as they might choose to make. They here feel the full force of this report, and smart severely under it… We have received information here that is pretty correct that A. Burr and A. Hamilton have fought a Duel, and that Hamilton is dangerously wounded in the body. The duel is said to have taken place the day before yesterday at 6 o’clock A.M. on the Jersey shore.—Jonathan

10 July–24 July 1804 [Father Ephraim sick.] [Ephraim] recollects nothing that has passed during 8 or 10 days of his most severe sickness. It is now about 30 days since he visited the office. So Jonathan is running the newspaper…Everything at the farm and in the office has gone on very well…I am now Sole Dictator, overseer, inspector, commander, and director of our internal and external affairs. I am first Consul, Emperor and Commander in Chief in other words. As the tide of our Fall election draws night, great exertions are made by our opponents. They are alarmed, they fear and tremble. The subject of the Constitution fills them with wrath, fear, horror and dismay. As a proof of their unanimous exertions, I refer you to “Detector” in the Mercury of this week. You will see in it the bold and penetrating strokes of “David.” The republicans on their part are firm, determined, preserving, and steady.—Jonathan

16 Nov. 1804 [On Thanksgiving] To many republicans in this state it was really a day of thankfulness; what added to their joy and gratitude was the glorious result of the election for electors of President and V. President in Massachusetts—you may be assured, there has nothing happened for a length of time that has produced so much joy among the republicans in this city; it produces an contrary effect in an equal degree on the federalists…God of heavens, where is federalism to find a resting place? At this rate it will soon be driven from among us; its end approacheth—convulsive agonies have seized its body, its distorted appearance foretell its speedy dissolution. Should it receive a mortal blow at the present election in Massachusetts I am confident we shall gently feel the effects yes, the happy effects in this State, where federalists, to keep the power of the State in their hands, have gone all lengths which disappointment, ingenuity, and despair could dictate.—Jonathan

7 Dec. 1804 Our electors for President and V President met here on Wednesday last and voted for C.C. Pinkney and Rufus King…So you see that our good, pious, steady-habit, federalists are determined that Mr Jefferson shall never be Connecticut President…Faithful to the cause of federalism our electors have not quitted her when sinking—when all hopes of bringing her into port are abandoned;—if she sinks Connecticut federalists are determined to go to the bottom with her.—Jonathan

15 March 1805 I am much pleased to find that the Feds. in Boston have gained their election for term offices by so small a majority. I think it [?] well for the approaching State elections. Nothing can be more gratifying to our republicans than to have Mass. elect a republican Governor.—Jonathan

21 Feb. 1806 The same feelings and the same interests govern our federalists here. As those with you—they seem as much pleased if there is any news of success of the combined [?], as tho’ we were subjects of G. Britain…they are in fact, subjects to G. Britain. D—n these scoundrels, little do they think of the injuries we have suffered from that government—they have forgotten the many thousands of our countrymen murdered by their hands;—others can yet see the ruins of our habitations, they cannot;—we now and then can find a decrepit soldier who has lost an arm or a leg while opposing these murderers.—Jonathan

7 March 1806 I sincerely hope the time is not far distant when we shall see the republicans holding some share of powers in this state.—Then again, considering what we have to contend with it would seem as if it would be a long, long time ere this period will arrive.—Jonathan

4 April 1806 Randolph, has here, been the theme of conversation for some days past… The federalists commend him while he abuses the Administration and leading republicans in Congress, often that they d– –m him. The republicans are perfectly willing that he should join the federalists, for they are persuaded that if he does not leave the republicans, the republicans will leave him. I have just seen a letter from Litchfield which informs that the editor and printer of the Witness have both been put to gaol. They were tried for something called by the federalists a libel on Julius Deminy Eng..—I know not what it was but believe it was something respecting a crow-bar. They were fined $100 each—Jonathan

24 April 1806 The leading republicans in this state have been defamed, slandered, vilified, and abused thro’ this same means.—Indeed they have conducted as tho’ they looked with contempt on the authority of the general government, and defied it power—and as if they were privileged and appointed to abuse and scandalize all but federalists.—Nor are you ignorant how republican printers and editors have been dealt with while they have been expressing the conspiracies of those who were attempting to destroy the government of our country and the liberties we enjoy.—Jonathan

CONDITION: Covers worn, letters toned, old folds, small chips and tears to margins, but overall good condition with very little loss to the text.

REFERENCES: The American Mercury at archive.org; Babcock Family Papers, Connecticut Historical Society at chs.org