(New York State Senate)

Manuscript of an electioneering speech, 2 pages on bifolium (12 3/4 x 8 1/8 in.; 323 x 206 mm), neatly written in an unidentified hand, docketed; central vertical fold repaired, repairs to integral blank, some minor spotting.  

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A candidate's credibility is questioned. Neither the author of this speech or the candidate under attack, "Mr. L. D. U.," has been identified.

"The Important period of Election for Governor and Senators for this State and District being at hand, we have though it our Duty to present you with this Short address. Whatever a man's Political Sentiments may be, if he is essentially wanting in the principles of Moral Honesty, he is essentially unfit for the Important Business of legislation. It is on this ground that we declare Mr. L. D. U. an unfit person for your Suffrages as to his Political Sentiments considering then as Vibrating with to what is called the federal or Antifederal party, it is Impossible for us (though we have been this long time Impartial Observers) to tell to which he has the most Sincere an Attachment, but as to his Moral Character no person who is posses't of but a Short History of his Transactions for a number of years past can ever Remain in doubt passing over the numerous Complaints of his little and low Tricks to get money, of his Spending a great proportion of his time while on the legislature in the sordid business of land Jobbing, it is a fact notorious to many and ought to be known to all, that in the year 96 he took not less than Twelve Thousand Dollars from a number of Inhabitants of Suffolk County—for what he artfully recommended to be a Valuable Consideration, but which proved to be not worth a single Cent and subsequent events have fully proved the fraud to be intentional…."

Mr. L. D. U. may have been a code for the candidate in question; from the text, it appears the person had been in the state legislature and no one of those initials appears either as an Assemblyman or Senator. James Armstrong, who otherwise fits the description of someone who switched sides and was somewhat shady financially, won the United States Senate seat that year, but he did not serve in the State Legislature. Evidently unpublished.