LETTER: Autograph letter signed, to Schuyler Colfax, on Revolution letterhead, 1869; with a handbill from the Revolution, both sides covered.
Anthony, Susan B. Autograph letter signed, to Schuyler Colfax, New York, December 17,
1867, on one leaf of makeshift Revolution letterhead with her brand new The Revolution
masthead proudly glued to the top of the first page, both sides covered; with a handbill from the
Revolution.
Geo. Francis Train, Mrs. E. Cady Stanton and myself having just returned from Kansas,
where, in securing 7,000 votes for the enfranchisement of woman, we hold the balance of
power in the state; and having addressed large audiences in the great cities of nine states
on our way homeward, now intend to speak in Washington. Will you ask the Honorable
Body over which you preside, to grant the use of the House of Representatives for some
day early in January, for Mr. Train, Mrs. Stanton and Anthony to present the questions of
woman’s enfranchisement and educated suffrage. Trusting that you will give early &
favorable notice to the above, I am yours respectfully, Susan B. Anthony. P.S. Mr. Train
was invited by our N.Y. State Constitutional Convention to address its members in the
Assembly Chamber at Albany on the question of woman’s suffrage. Mr. T. did so - and is
the only man outside the Convention who has addressed that body in our behalf. S.B.A.
The envelope in her hand, postmarked December 18, is still present. It is interesting that she
crossed out the words “to us” after “grant”, yet without changing the meaning. Perhaps she
thought the original language struck too strong a tone.
Nothing ever came of this initiative, and it seems to have been lost to history, as we cannot find
mention of this letter anywhere. It is apparently a new discovery, one that provides extraordinary
insight into Anthony’s strategy and audacity as she maneuvered to gain the franchise for women.
Included with this letter is a very rare flyer, apparently sent to Colfax as an
enclosure. Printed December 7, 1867, it promoted the last engagement of their 1867 speaking
tour, the one at Steinway Hall in New York City on December 14, 1867, and the upcoming
publication of The Revolution. It detailed the speeches made by Anthony, Stanton and Train on
recent occasions, and the receptions their speeches generated. The announcement portion leads
with “God Save the People. The Revolution. Clear the track, the train is coming”, then in bold
lists the causes the newspaper would champion and its attitude in doing so: “Educated
Suffrage…Eight Hours Labor… Down With the Politicians and Up With the People…” We have
found a few copies of this important flyer in institutions, but are unaware of any in private hands.
***
In November of 1853, Anthony took up her first cause, and her first campaign, for women. It
related to securing additional rights to own property in New York, and the effort extended to
1855. But the overwhelming issue of the day was slavery, and in 1856 Anthony became involved
as an agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society, seeking the abolition of slavery. With the
onrush of events leading to war, little was accomplished for women in those early years.
During the Civil War the leaders of the woman's movement suspended action on behalf of their
own rights in order to concentrate on the abolition of slavery. On May 14, 1863, Anthony and
Stanton formed the Women's National Loyal League to campaign for an amendment to the U.S.
Constitution that would abolish slavery; the League was the first national women's political
organization in the United States. In the largest petition drive in the nation's history up to that
time, the League collected nearly 400,000 signatures on petitions to abolish slavery and presented
them to Congress. Its petition drive significantly assisted the passage of the 13th Amendment,
which passed the Senate on April 8, 1864, and the House on Ja
Print Inquire
