Details
[CALIFORNIA]. NORTON I, Self-styled "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico." Autograph letter signed ("Norton I"), to "My Dear Senator Sherman," San Francisco, 27 September 1876. 2 pages, 4to, boldly penned on rectos only of two sheets of decorative Mechanics' Institute stationery, Post Street, lined stationery, remains of old stamp mounting at corners and top of one sheet.
One of San Francisco's most famous eccentrics writes just before the 1876 national elections, to Senator John Sherman of Ohio. Norton apologizes for not writing sooner, but "...In fact, my love & Esteem for Ruling over this Nation is fast ebbing away...No pay, no Clothing, no palace...[I] am now almost naked so much so that I cannot call on any respectable person from about, from the shame. The...contest for President must be turned into a National Convention to Reform the System..."
Joshua Abram Norton (1819-1880), probably of English-Jewish parentage, emigrated to California in 1849 and made a fortune in San Francisco as an agent, broker and land speculator, but suffered financial ruin a few years later, and began to show signs of derangement. In 1859, he submitted a a proclamation to the San Francisco Evening Bulletin naming himself the Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. Norton I's delusions were tolerated by San Francisco's citizenry (who took up a subscription to supply him with a uniform heavy with gold braid); he spoke at political rallies and appeared at ceremonial occasions. "When the state legislature met, a large upholstered chair was always reserved for him" (J.Parker, "Emperor Norton I," American Heritage, vol. 28, no. 1, p. 85). Over 30,000 San Franciscans attended Norton's funeral in 1880.
One of San Francisco's most famous eccentrics writes just before the 1876 national elections, to Senator John Sherman of Ohio. Norton apologizes for not writing sooner, but "...In fact, my love & Esteem for Ruling over this Nation is fast ebbing away...No pay, no Clothing, no palace...[I] am now almost naked so much so that I cannot call on any respectable person from about, from the shame. The...contest for President must be turned into a National Convention to Reform the System..."
Joshua Abram Norton (1819-1880), probably of English-Jewish parentage, emigrated to California in 1849 and made a fortune in San Francisco as an agent, broker and land speculator, but suffered financial ruin a few years later, and began to show signs of derangement. In 1859, he submitted a a proclamation to the San Francisco Evening Bulletin naming himself the Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. Norton I's delusions were tolerated by San Francisco's citizenry (who took up a subscription to supply him with a uniform heavy with gold braid); he spoke at political rallies and appeared at ceremonial occasions. "When the state legislature met, a large upholstered chair was always reserved for him" (J.Parker, "Emperor Norton I," American Heritage, vol. 28, no. 1, p. 85). Over 30,000 San Franciscans attended Norton's funeral in 1880.