This is the June 19, 1858 issue of HARPER’S WEEKLY newspaper.  Harper’s was one of the most successful newspapers of the time.  Other publishers in the late 1800’s included Frank Leslie, in New York, and Gleason’s and Ballou’s Pictorial, and Every Saturday in Boston.  All of these publications were highly illustrated with wood engravings.  This issue is in very good condition the pages are flat and clean, for a newspaper of this age.  This issue gives good insight into life in the 1800’s, with articles on politics, literature, and art.  Additional pictures are available upon request.  Please include your e-mail address.

ARTICLES:

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT – A biographical article with an engraved portrait of Lt-General Scott.  His most notable achievements were during the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, however many other engagements are mentioned in the article. (See portrait)

PEACE WITH ENGLAND – The British Admiral on the West India Station has promptly disavowed the action of the gunboats on the coast of Cuba, and given assurances of prompt redress from his Government for the outrages, which have aroused so much feeling on this side of the ocean.

THE END OF THE MORMON WAR - Dispatches from Colonel Cummings to the State Department establish beyond controversy the termination of the Mormon controversy by the submission of the Mormons to the authority of the United States Governor.

THE COMMERCIAL PROSPECT – The month of June is now far enough advanced to enable us to decide upon two matters of the first importance to the commercial world – the crops of the year, and the fall trade prospects.

THE NATIONAL FINANCES – Both houses of Congress have passed the bill for another twenty million loan to supply the deficiency in the public revenue.  Almost all of the Governments income is raised by customs duties.  The inequality of such indirect taxation was long since demonstrated.  We are now perceiving its unreliability.

TAMPERING WITH JURIES – On the third trial of Cancemi for the murder of policeman Anderson, which is now pending in the city, a witness testified that he had been offered three thousand dollars, by one of the counsel for the defense, to abscond, so as to deprive the prosecution of the benefit of his evidence.

THE FASHIONABLE PROMENADES OF LONDON AND PARIS – London and Paris have long had promenades for the public to take in fresh air and the ladies to consent to submit their new fashions to public inspection. Now a commission in Albany has been appointed to consider the establishment of Central Park in New York City.  Two full-page engravings of Hyde Park, London (See picture); and Longchamps, Champs Elysees, Paris are presented.

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL – It has been eighty-three years since the battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, and established the crowning fact that the “Americans” were prepared to fight for their liberties.  The article gives a detailed description of the battle and the days before and after.  A full-page engraving “The Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775” is presented (See picture); along with a poem “Bunker Hill” by Alfred B. Street.

EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCE – Much has been written about the earthquake of 1856 in Naples.  Now a new account from Mr. Major who went to Naples and visited the afflicted districts, and lived and labored among the poor inhabitants for more than ten weeks is published in this issue.

INSANE - A poem

WHAT WILL HE DO WITH IT? – A story by Sir E. Bulwer Lytton

MONUMENT TO COLONEL WILLIAM WASHINGTON AT CHARLESTON, S.C. – An engraving is presented of the graceful monument, which has lately been erected to the memory of Col. William Washington and his wife, in the magnolia Cemetery at Charleston, South Carolina.  Professor J.H. Dickson pronounced an ode on the occasion, which is reproduced here.

THE OUTRAGE ON THE “TROPIC BIRD” – The American ship Tropic Bird was stopped and boarded for inspection by the British ship Jasper after leaving Port au Prince for Philadelphia.  The British officers mistook the Tropic Bird for a slaver, which was trying to out run its blockade of the island.  An engraving titled “Outrage on the “Tropic Bird” by the British Gunboat “Jasper” is presented (See picture).  This article is connected to the second article by the name of “Peace with England” listed above.

I HAVE MANY SHIPS AT SEA – A poem

WHO WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE ORDINANCE OF 1787? – A letter to the editors of Harper’s Weekly, with a reply from the editors.