JOHN ELIHU HALL - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/25/1816 - HFSID 3439

JOHN ELIHU HALL
Writing to New Hampshire Congressman Roger Vose, he asks for assistance in compiling the papers of author Joseph Dennie.
Autograph Letter signed: "J. E. Hall", 2 pages (front and verso), 7¾x9¾. Philadelphia, 1816 March 25. To "R[oger] Vose, in full: "Sir. I have undertaken to make a selection of the writings of the late Mr. Dennie, to which it is desirable that some account of his life should be prefixed. From his letters to you, which Mr. Meredith has submitted to my inspection, it appears that a very cordial intimacy subsisted between you & our deceased friend. You will, therefore, I trust be disposed to cooperate with me in the performance of a duty to the memory of one, whose deserves that his name should not be forgotten. I wish to obtain as many of his letters as possible - but know not where to apply for them. Anecdotes of this individual - full account of the of the pursuits & present situation of his early friends - as far as they can be introduced without offence to the living or in honour to the dead, are the principal materials from which a biographical tissue may be woven. If you can give me any information about his various literary schemes, some additions may be made to the history of American literature, which will not be unworthy of legend. I shall thank you if you can furnish me with the address of some of his friends in the Eastern States, to whom an application similar to this, may be made, with acspect to any facts or papers which may be confided to me, you may rely upon my assurance, that no other use shall be made of them than pick at a court of honour would sanction. My friends Hopkinton, ______ or R.H. Goldborough will transmit any papers which you may be disposed to entrust to me. I am Sir, very respectfully, your observant" JOHN ELIHU HALL (1783-1829), a Philadelphia attorney, was editor of the first American legal periodical, The American Law Journal. He also wrote poetry under the pseudonym "Sedley" in Port Folio, the early American literary magazine published by Joseph Dennie (1768-1812), the subject of this letter. His fictional Memoirs of Anacreon was also popular. Hall was a member of the American Philosophical Society. The recipient of this letter was Roger Vose (1768-1842), a Harvard classmate of Dennie, and a US Representative from New Hampshire (1813-1817), later Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of New Hampshire. Multiple folds. Corners worn and creased. Lightly toned. Light surface creases. Tears at folds. Stained throughout. Otherwise, fine condition.