John W. Crisfield correspondence, 1852-1862

Topic include appointments, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Pearce’s reelection and railroads in Maryland, the issue of slavery, the 1860 Presidential election, loyalty to the Union, secession and the rising tension of armed conflict, the eventual beginning of the Civil War, and the emancipation of slave. There is also a letter to James A. Pearce, Jr. on the passing of his father. Some letters have transcripts.