[Missouri]: "Curtius" [pseudonym]:

$1,250 · Offered by William Reese Company

TORCH LIGHT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ORIGIN, POLICY, AND PRINCIPLES OF THE OPPOSITION TO THE ADMINISTRATION, AND AN EXPOSITION OF THE OFFICIAL CONDUCT OF THOMAS H. BENTON, ONE OF THE SENATORS FROM ... A rare compilation of eight articles, apparently printed in Missouri, mostly relating to the controversy surrounding the presidential campaign of 1824 and other political debates of the day that would be of interest to Missourians. No majority was reached in the 1824 presidential election, and Henry Clay, who was running for president, was compelled to cast the deciding ballot by virtue of being House Speaker. He chose John Quincy Adams over Andrew Jackson, and much controversy ensued over an alleged "corrupt bargain" between Clay and Adams. These articles reveal something of the popular opinion in Missouri regarding these events, as well as the state of national politics at the time, especially the changing political attachments of Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton. Benton had first supported Clay for president, then opposed Clay's choice of Adams, and later aligned himself with Jackson, an erstwhile enemy. These articles first appeared under the pseudonym of "Curtius" in the MISSOURI REPUBLICAN.Quite rare. Howes accords a "b" rating to this work and lists it under "Benton." The Eberstadts describe the issue offered here, of eighty-eight pages, as the "original edition of this daring and important expose...." AMERICAN IMPRINTS INVENTORY for Missouri describes an edition of this

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