LOT RR Auction  /  RR Auction Quality Autograph Auction 363  / 

9

James Buchanan

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
James Buchanan

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2010 Nov 10 @ 19:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.25 x 9, January 25, 1856. Letter to Reid Sanders. In part: “I am sorry you should have written me three letters & destroyed them before they were sent. Although your present letter is very well & agreeably written, I dare to say that the others which you brought to an untimely end were equal to it in all respects. I was once young myself, & of course do not expect the wisdom of Solomon from a boy in his teens.

I rejoice that you are pleased with the Free Academy, & doubt not that you will derive great benefit from its instructors. I have no fears that you will be cast away as one of ‘the bad sheep’ to employ your own language…What a blessing it is to be the Citizen of a Country where each individual may proudly feel that he is equal to his fellow man and where merit is not eclipsed by birth & rank! Your visit to Europe will cause you to appreciate your happy lot as it deserves, & you make a more devoted republican than if you had never witnessed the working of a monarchial Government. You pride yourself on being a true democrat, and this is well. Take care that throughout your life you shall never abandon the true political faith for any temporary advantage. In the course of my experience, I have seen many promising politicians who destroyed themselves unrecoverably by leaving the straight road when they thought it was beset with dangers or when they were seduced from it by the hope of more speedy political preferment. Do your duty and bide your time. It will surely come at last. Beware of a party not founded on the true principles of the Constitution and the Union.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, small tape repair to several folds, small area of staining to bottom of first page, and scattered light soiling and creasing.

It was with enormous pride that Buchanan wrote 18-year-old Reid Sanders, son of the one-time American consul in London. Buchanan, who had been serving as minister to the Court of St. James in England, praises the young man for his “very well & agreeably written” correspondence, and offers assurances that his rough drafts “were equal to it in all respects,” reminding him that certain indiscretions are acceptable by a young man. In addition to heaping praise, he also provides sage wisdom to Mr. Sanders, reminding him to “take care that throughout your life you shall never abandon the true political faith for any temporary advantage. In the course of my experience, I have seen many promising politicians who destroyed themselves...by leaving the straight road.” Profound wisdom from the gentleman who a year later would be president.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot