William Charles Macready (1793-1873) was a well-known and popular actor in England during the 19th century, having first appeared in one of his father's theatres in 1810 as Romeo. Within ten years, Macready would be playing in one of London's premiere theatres, the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. His prominence beginning with a successful portrayal of Shakespeare's Richard III, he became a regular player at the rival patent theatre, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where his success was cemented as he developed further in his Shakespearean repertoire. In 1826 he traveled to America for the first time, meeting with success. On a subsequent American tour, his now infamous acting feud with American actor Edwin Forrest fueled nationalistic sentiments on both sides of the Atlantic which erupted in the Astor Place Riot in New York City on May 10, 1849. Thirty-three persons were killed when the police shot into the crowds in an effort to quell the chaos. This item is a note from Macready written just five months before the Astor Place Riot. Macready was performing in Baltimore as a part of his American tour, and had already endured Edwin Forrest following his tour to some extent, setting up shop in the same towns and performing the same plays and parts as Macready on the same nights. A month prior, Forrest played the same shows in Philadelphia as Macready, causing Macready to deal with unruly audience members. On November 20, he thanked his Philadelphia audience for affording him respect when a certain American actor was not. Forrest replied publicly in the press two days later that he did in fact hiss at Macready, but that English audiences had done the same to him. Forrest's public Card to Macready was generally condemned as disgraceful by most Americans, but the feud continued on. On December 11, 1848, Macready and Forrest both played Macbeth in their respective Baltimore theatres. The press gave equal reviews to both on December 12, the day on which this letter was written. It reads: Barnum Hotel, Baltimore Decem. 12, 1848 Dear Sir I am this moment in receipt of your very kind and obliging letter of yesterday with its enclosures. Pray accept my warmest thanks for your generous advocacy and sympathy under unmerited and unprovoked annoyance. -- Believe me I am too sensible of the nature of the attacks made upon me to associate them with the best part of the intelligence and worth of this country. -- The London Times in commenting upon some proceedings a little akin to the present, spoke of the perpetrators as ruffians and blockheads disgracing their country in the eyes of Europe. -- These assailants of mine would have done the same by the United States, but the good feeling of Her citizens has been too powerful for them. Last night a very crowded house watched the entire performance with no other expectations than those of satisfaction. So far the matter seems at rest, and my letter from England will, I know, prove the utter want of truth in every statement that has been made against me. Requesting you to present my kind regards and thanks to Dr. ---- and with every sentiment of respect I remain, dear Sir, Your's [sic] much obliged and very truly W. C. Macready Artistic role(s) represented: Sir Henry Irving (Actor), Jean Mounet-Sully (Actor).