James K. Polk
Boston, MA, ca. 1847
"The People Vs. Polk" Rare Anti-War Pamphlet, 1847
Pamphlet/Booklet

A satirical pamphlet entitled "Trial for Murder. The People vs. James K. Polk. Counsel for the People, J.Q. Adams… For Prisoner, John Tyler." Boston: Published by S. Harris. No. 66 Cornhill, (up stairs). 1847. 16pp. Self-wrappers. The pamphlet, authored by American humorist Fitch Poole (1803-1973), recounts a mock trial for President James K. Polk for "murders" committed during the Mexican-American War. Featuring a large woodcut engraving on front cover, with "principal witnesses" listed below, including Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor, George M. Dallas, Martin van Buren, and many more. Moderate wear throughout, with degrees of uneven age toning, soiling, and edge tearing, causing some loss to text; loose binding with some pages detached. Fair condition overall.

Domestic support for the Mexican-American War, or a lack thereof, would become an increasingly partisan issue as the conflict progressed. While Southern Democrats eagerly supported the effort to add new slave-owning territories under Manifest Destiny, Whigs in both the North and South disagreed with the territorial expansion. These dueling ideologies ultimately made their way to the press, making the Mexican-American War the first to be covered in such detail. Indeed, new inventions such as the telegraph created a means of rapid communication that had not yet been seen. Due to such widespread public interest, it is likely that this anti-war pamphlet would be circulated among like-minded groups.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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5.5" x 8.75"