Speed, James (1812-1887) Papers, 1863-1876

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Speed, James, 1812-1887 

Title:  Papers, 1863-1876 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection:  0.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A S742d 

Scope and Content Note 

Letters of James Speed concerning legal cases, the Republican Party, petitions from people for his political connections, and from government officials concerning legislation. Correspondence with Jeremiah Black includes his opinions of Lincoln as a person and President and other politicians. He tells of the Military Tribunal for the Lincoln Conspirators and is asked to be a pall bearer for William Seward. 

Biographical Note 

James Speed was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky in 1812 and died in Louisville in 1887. He was a lawyer, Kentucky legislator and friend and advisor of President Lincoln. Lincoln appointed Speed attorney general in 1864 and he pursued Lincoln’s policy of moderation toward the south until Lincoln’s death. Speed then started favoring a more radical policy. He favored the military commission to try the Lincoln conspirators and others not protected by parole. He advocated black suffrage and was a critic of President Andrew Johnson. He was prominent in Radical Republican activities and later supported Grover Cleveland in 1884. 

Folder List 

Folder 1: Correspondence 1863-1871. 

Folder 2: Correspondence April – August 1872. 

Folder 3: Correspondence September – November 1872. 

Folder 4: Correspondence December 1872. 

Folder 5: Correspondence 1873-1876. 

Folder 6: Business Papers. 

Folder 7: Miscellaneous Material.