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107

James Madison

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James Madison

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Auction Date:2010 May 12 @ 10:00 (UTC-05:00 : 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, one page, 7.5 x 10, February 20, 1827. Letter to Mr. Gallatin in London. In full: “Mr. Holley, late President of the Transylvania University, being about to take a look at Europe, will pay his respects to you on his arrival in London. The claim giving to your civilities by the station he filled and the learned accomplishments which led to it, will be strengthened by his laudable desire to improve his fund of knowledge as a philosophical enquirer in other Countries, after having imparted the benefits of that fund to many youthful ones in his own. Allow me on this occasion to add another to the many assurances you have received of my great esteem & cordial regards.”

Reverse bears an address panel in Madison’s hand to “Mr. Gallatin, Envoy Extraordinary & Minister Plenipotentiary of United States, London.” Double matted and framed (so both sides may be viewed) with a color portrait of Madison, to an overall size of 18 x 15.25. In very good condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, scattered light toning and soiling, a brush to last few letters of signature, and an old ink notation along top edge.

Madison had left the presidency a decade before writing this letter, but he clearly still held some political pull. The Founding Father used that influence to contact America’s envoy in London and request assistance for Horace Holley during a European visit. Holley was a supporter of the Federalist Party and men like Madison—support that led to his eventual resignation as president the Kentucky university. During his tenure, however, the educator had been well-respected and credited for enhancing the school’s academic progress. Following his resignation, Holley moved to New Orleans and had hoped to take a group of young men on a tour of Europe as part of a "traveling academy." When that plan failed, he traveled overseas on his own before agreeing to head a Louisiana school. While in Boston prior to that assignment, however, Holley contracted yellow fever and died five months after this letter was sent. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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