An exceptional unpublished four-page autograph letter written from Janesville on January 9, 1812, containing an early contemporary account of the catastrophic Richmond Theatre Fire of December 26, 1811, one of the deadliest disasters in early American history.
Written only two weeks after the tragedy, the correspondent reports receiving fresh news by the city mail that the Richmond theatre "took fire... while some play was acting," that the roof collapsed upon an audience estimated at fifteen hundred persons, and that approximately forty perished, "among whom was the Governor of Virginia and his lady." Although later reports established the death toll at seventy-two, including Governor George William Smith, this letter preserves the earliest stage of the story as it spread across the young republic.
The first portion of the letter discusses contemporary New York politics, including debates in the state Senate over repeal of part of the Commissioning Law, a closely contested 13–11 vote, the actions of Mr. Riker, and sharp divisions between Tammany supporters and the Resolutionists, providing valuable insight into partisan politics on the eve of the War of 1812.
The letter retains its original address panel, postal markings, and remnants of the original red wax seal. Written in a clear and highly legible hand, it remains in very good condition with expected folds, light age toning, and minor wear.
A highly desirable unpublished primary source combining early American politics with one of the nation's first great urban disasters. Ideal for collectors of War of 1812-era manuscripts, Virginia history, New York political history, early postal history, and significant American historical correspondence.
Document Details
-
Date: January 9, 1812
-
Place Written: Janesville (likely Janesville, New York)
-
Format: Four-page autograph letter
-
Recipient: Mr. Breckinridge, Princeton
-
Postal Marking: "D. Morris Jany. 6, 1812"
-
Original red wax seal remnants still present.
- Entirely written in a neat contemporary hand.
Content
The letter discusses two major subjects.
1. New York Politics
The writer reports on debates in the New York Senate concerning repeal of part of the "Commissioning Law," noting:
- Mr. Riker abandoning the Resolutionists
- A final vote of 13–11
- Conflict between Tammany supporters and the Resolutionists
This provides a fascinating snapshot of New York's intensely partisan politics immediately before the War of 1812.
2. The Richmond Theatre Fire
The second half contains remarkably early news of the catastrophe:
"...the Theatre in Richmond (Va.) took fire... while some play was acting... the roof fell in... there being about 1500 in the Theatre... about 40 of them perished in the flames among whom was the Governor of Virginia and his lady..."
The writer was relying on fresh reports carried by the city mail only about two weeks after the tragedy.
Although the casualty estimate of "about 40" proved low, the account correctly reports the death of Virginia Governor George William Smith, one of the most shocking losses in the disaster. The Richmond Theatre fire actually claimed 72 lives, making it the deadliest urban disaster in the United States up to that time.
This is exactly the kind of contemporary reporting historians prize because it preserves how major national news circulated before newspapers had fully established the facts.
Historical Importance
The letter combines:
- Early American political history
- New York legislative affairs
- Tammany politics
- One of the earliest surviving manuscript reports of the 1811 Richmond Theatre Fire
- Death of Virginia Governor George William Smith
Letters discussing the Richmond Theatre Fire shortly after the event are scarce. Most surviving accounts are newspaper reports; privately written correspondence describing the disaster while the news was still unfolding is considerably less common.
Condition
Very Good.
- Four-page folded letter.
- Strong manuscript throughout.
- Original folds.
- Original address panel.
- Original postal markings.
- Red wax seal remnants remain.
- Light edge wear and scattered age toning.
- Minor fold separations without significant loss.
An attractive, highly displayable manuscript.
