1844 New Haven Ct Stampless Cover Letter Locofoco Political Feud Toll Road Signe For Sale

4 PAGES Approximately 7.75\" BY 10\" SEE PICS FOR CONDITION WITH FOLDS

Hitchcocksville May 9th 1844D. SirAfter my congratulations on the return of our native State to the simplicity of Jeffersonian Republicanism, and the consequent release from the shackles of modern Democracy, under the more appropriate name of Locofocoism, permit me to say a word on the subject of the appointment of Commissioners on Turnpike Roads— William Manchester & John Ward, (both Locos) are Commissioners on the Farmington River Turnpike. Mr Manchester has served for several years, and given satisfaction to all concerned, so far as my knowledge extends, He resides near the north end of the road, in an eligible situation to discharge the duties of the Office with less expense than almost any other man— the Company are willing he should be continued— Mr Ward is one of the Firm of John Ward & Sons, owners of the Calico Printworks in this Village, who are doing a large amount of Transportation, & consequently paying more toll, perhaps double, to that of any other Company or Individual— hence, the question arises, whether he is not to deeply interested, to act with strict impartiality between the public, and the Corporation, both of whose Interests ought to be protected— it is an easy way for of paying Gate fees, for a director, when he has a number of Teams on the Road, to order the Gate Open, on account of some alledged insufficiency in the Road— and self interest is a strong incentive to injustice— I would therefore respectfully recommend that the name of Virgil Taylor be substituted for that of John Ward— believing that

[Page 2]the ends of Justice will be thereby promoted— Deac. Taylor is well qualified for the Office, living near the southern end of the limits of the Corporation, I have no doubt his appointment will give general satisfaction— Samuel C. Mills & Richard Tibbals, of Colebrook are Commissioners on the Sandy Brook Turnpike Road— This Road leads from this place, through Colebrook, Sandisfield, New Marlborough, Tyringham, to Gt Barrington, about seven Miles, being the southeasterly part, was opened by Voluntary Subscription of Individuals, at an expense of near $3,200— being mostly through a Wilderness, having no inhabitants to keep it in repair, in 1825 the Patrons of the Road, obtained the privilege of erecting a Toll Gate, merely for the sake of keeping the Road in a comfortable state of repair— and every dollar collected at said Gate, after paying the Gate Keeper, has been faithfully applied in repairing said Road. subsequently, settlements have been made, and Mills erected, by persons who are wishing to have the Charter Revoked, and the expense of repairing the Road thrown upon the Towns of Barkhamsted & Colebrook— Tho a large Majority in each Town are opposed to such a measure— Mr Tibbals, above named, is the owner of a Saw Mill on the Road in Question, and being a raoffer Loco— he availed himself of means well understood by the Party, to obtain the Appointment of Commissioner, and has made the Company some unnecessary trouble— we are satisfied with Mr Mills as a Commissioner, and would recommend Mr Richard A. Doolittle, who represented the Town of Barkhamsted the last year, as a suitable Person

[Page 3]to take the place of Mr Tibbals— Mr Doolittle was formerly a Commissioner, and superseded by Mr Tibbals— I will just say, that we have declared a Dividend of one and an half per cent on the Stock of the Farmington River Turnpike Co which is in my hands, awaiting your order—

with much respectYour Obedt ServtJesse Ives

Hon. Abijah CatlinNew HavenCt

[Page 4 - Address Panel / Cover][Handwritten Top]: Jesse Ives[Postmark]: NEW HARTFORD CT MAY 10[Postal Markings]: PAID / 10[Addressed To]:Hon. Abijah CatlinMember of the SenateNew HavenConn.

An original 1844 three-page folded stampless letter sent from Jesse Ives in Hitchcocksville (now Riverton), Connecticut, to Hon. Abijah Catlin, a member of the State Senate in New Haven. Postmarked May 10 in New Hartford, CT, with a red strike and manuscript \"10\" rate mark.

Key Highlights & Historical Content:

• Political Intrigue & \"Locofocoism\": The letter opens with sharp political commentary, celebrating the state\'s shift away from \"modern Democracy, under the more appropriate name of Locofocoism\" to \"Jeffersonian Republicanism.\" Ives explicitly identifies political rivals as \"Locos\" and a \"raoffer Loco.\"

• Local Turnpike Infrastructure & Conflict: Detailed discussions regarding commissioners for the Farmington River Turnpike and the Sandy Brook Turnpike Road (running through Colebrook, Sandisfield, New Marlborough, Tyringham, and Great Barrington).

• Business & Industry: Mentions local industry, including the Calico Printworks owned by John Ward & Sons, local sawmills, and disputes over toll gates, road maintenance costs, and potential charter revocations.

• Turnpike Dividend Mention: Declares a 1.5% dividend on the stock of the Farmington River Turnpike Co.