LAND LIMITATION Counterstamp

"LAND / LIMITATION"
1797-Mo-FM Two Reales (KM 91)

Stamped in two arcs, could be from a single punch. The other known example of this countermark (on an 1844 Large Cent) has the same odd relationship between the two arcs.

Potentially a very important token - a forgotten U.S. historical event. Issued in the mid-to-late 1840's? I recall that someone once wrote an article about thiscounterstamp.

I have seen an antique pamphlet entitled "A SHAKER'S VIEWS ON THE LAND LIMITATION SCHEME AND LAND MONOPOLY, AND MORMON PERSECUTION". It was published by FrederickW. Evans of Mount Lebanon, NY. This may or may not have anything to do with the countermark, but it's a pointer for further research.

Brunk L-94.

LAND LIMITATION • 1844 cent • Counterstamped by: National Reform Association advocates. • Location: NY, New York City • Category: Political statement.• Stamped: LAND and LIMITATION, each in a curved logotype punch. • F-15 Land Limitation

{Commentary} Issued by advocates of the National Reform Association (NRA), formed by George Henry Evans from the membership of the Locofocos, National Trades Union, and theWorkingmen's Party. On March 13, 1844, a meeting of working people, under the name of National Reform Party, was held in New York City at Chatham and Mulberry streets. Acommittee was appointed to investigate "a depression of labor, and a social degradation of the laborer."

The committee filed a report which was accepted at the next meeting. The National Reform Association resolved to use the "land question" as the prime element in itspolitical statements, and laid out three objectives:

1. Homestead legislation by the federal government to allow workers and others to acquire public lands free of charge.

2. Legislation to be enacted by various states to exempt land such as farms from seizure in debt collection.

3. Land limitation (precise wording) to restrict the ownership of large amounts of land by wealthy individuals and other entities, so that land would become more easilyavailable to the general population.

In the following year, 1845, the NRG joined with advocates of the Fourierist movement to schedule the first of a series on annual National Industrial Congresses. It is likelythat the National Reform Association was also involved in 1844 with the issuance of the VOTE THE LAND / FREE counterstamps (see listing, which reiterates much of the presentcommentary and adds more). Similar to the LAND LIMITATION counterstamp, it is known on at least one cent (listed below) and on Spanish-American silver two-reales coins (1797 and1812 in the present instance).

To read the complete lot description, see:
Rare Counterstamp - Forgotten U.S. History Event - "LAND /LIMITATION" (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Counterstamp-Forgotten-U-S-History-Event-LAND-LIMITATION/132882066657)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
VOTE THE LAND FREE (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v04n16a07.html)

HIT HIM AGAIN Counterstamp

"HIT HIM AGAIN"
1858 U.S. Flying Eagle Cent

This countermark references a very famous historical event in South Carolina history.

"Hit Him Again" are the words inscribed on a cane given by the City of Charleston to Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina. The cane was intended to replacethe cane that he broke over the back of Charles Sumner in 1856. The famous abolitionist political cartoon was originally done by J.L. Magee, and carried the inscription"Southern Chivalry: Argument vs. Clubs."

Preston Brooks is an entertaining character of American history - despite his being on the wrong side of slavery. During his lifetime, he participated in multiple duels,fisticuffs, was expelled from college (after being suspended twice), held up a jail at gunpoint - only to eventually become a lawyer and U.S. Congressman.

As to his defining event, Brooks assaulted Charles Sumner (Massachusetts senator) in retaliation for the contents of a speech delivered on the floor of the Senate in promotionof Kansas's entry into the Union as a free state. Brooks took exception to two main points of Sumner's speech. First, Charles Sumner mocked Senator Butler's (arelative of Brooks) speech impediment .....

( Search the internet for A LOT MORE INFORMATION on this important historical event !!! )

You can just sense the forthcoming Civil War brewing with this piece ......

Have any other of these coins survived? If you know of one then please tell me. This could be the last survivor!

Brunk H-634.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Rare, Important South Carolina U.S. Political Counterstamp"HIT HIM AGAIN" !! (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Important-South-Carolina-U-S-Political-Counterstamp-HIT-HIM-AGAIN/132882065485)

To read the Brunk NI Bulletin article, see:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/521013?page=6