Autograph Letter Signed ('J. O. Sargent') from the Whig politician and editor John Osborne Sargent to the Boston abolitionist poltiician Charles Sumner, on his moving to New York to work as assistant editor on the New York Courier and Examiner.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. 65 lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed, on reverse of second leaf, 'To | Charles Sumner Esq. | Boston', with docketed date giving year. He writes that he had hoped to see Sumner before leaving Boston. 'Will you give my best regards to your friend Dr. Lieber, and assure him of my sincere obligations for his unsolicited & therefore more acceptable kindness.' He is 'in all respects' pleased with his 'situation' in New York: 'It is every wise more independent - & more "uninterfered-with" than ever; besides opening a large field and better prospects'. He considers it best to 'procure lodgings & establish myself' before announcing his connection with the newspaper. 'Stetson is very desirous that I should remain at the Astor - and as it looks so much like Boston to see his face every day'. He asks to be remembered to his friends, particularly 'Hillard'. 'My spirtis have been in a most abominable exhilaration ever since I reached the City. I have walked so lightly that I have sometimes been afraid of actually ascending - of being taken off my feet, as our old classmate Stewart used to be by the sublimity of his ideas - in the composition of Latin poetry'. The final paragraph begins 'Sumner - I feel "emancipated" - and believe on my soul that I shall turn abolitionist. Here am I one of 300,000 - & the devil a bit does any one care what the remaining 299,000 are about. In the office I have my own little room where I can be as exclusive as I please.' He ends by describing his duties. Accompanying the letter is a 12mo engraving by Russell & Richardson of a photographic portrait of Sargent by Sarony. Good, on lightly-aged paper, laid down on a piece of thin card. Sargent's papers are in the archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society.