HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY N. VA....TO THE PEOPLE OF MARLAND [sic]....
[Confederate Imprint]: [Lee, Robert E.]
"Near Frederick Town," [Md.]. Sept. 8, 1862. Broadside, approximately 6 x 7 1/2 inches. Printed on ruled paper. Early folds, with minor separations repaired on verso in archival tape. Some wear and light soiling. Very good. In a half morocco box. The rare first state of the extremely rare handbill issued by Robert E. Lee during the Maryland campaign of 1862. Lee's broadside letter, issued with hopes of gaining new army recruits, announces the intention of the Confederate forces to free the people of Maryland from Union rule. The main text reads as follows: "It is right that you should know the purpose that has brought the army under my command within the limits of your State, so far as that purpose concerns yourselves. The people of the Confederate States have long watched with the deepest sympathy the wrongs and outrages that have been inflicted upon the citizens of a Commonwealth, allied to the States of the South by the strongest social, political and commercial ties. They have seen with profound indignation their sister State deprived of every right, and reduced to the condition of a conquered Province. Under the pretence of supporting the Constitution, but in violation of its most valuable provisions, your citizens have been arrested and imprisoned upon no charge, and contrary to all forms of law...freedom of the press and of speech has been suppressed; words have been declared offences by an arbitrary decree of the Federal Executive, and citizens ordered to be tried by a military commission for what they may dare to speak. Believing that the people of Maryland possessed a spirit too lofty to submit to such a government, the people of the South have long wished to aid you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable you again to enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, and restore independence and sovereignty to your State. In obedience to this wish, our Army has come among you, and is prepared to assist you with the power of its arms in regaining the rights of which you have been despoiled. This, citizens of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you are concerned. No constraint upon your free will is intended - no intimidation will be allowed. Within the limits of this Army at least, Marylanders shall once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech. We know no enemies among you, and will protect all of every opinion. It is for you to decide your destiny, freely and without constraint. This army will respect your choice, whatever it may be, and while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you to your natural position among them, they will only welcome you when you come of your own free will." (Signed in print by Lee.) This printed handbill is a significant rarity and is present here in its first state with the misspelling of Maryland ("Marland") in the heading. When the misspelling was detected, the type was reset and the handbill reprinted. It is assumed that a few copies printed with the mistake were given to officers for use as writing paper (an example of this involving a different handbill has recently been seen at auction). Only one institutional copy of the first issue of the handbill is known, at Virginia Historical Society. PARRISH & WILLINGHAM 1236.
(Item ID: WRCAM39598) $12,500.00