419

Jefferson Davis

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Jefferson Davis

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Auction Date:2014 Sep 10 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
Free-franked envelope, 5.25 x 3, addressed by Davis to “Revd. J.W. French, U.S. Mil. Academy, West Point, New York.” Franked in the upper right, “Jeffer Davis, USS.” In fine condition, with a bit of scattered light soiling, and a horizontal separation along top edge from opening, touching the tops of a couple of letters of signature. John W. French served as chaplain of the House of Representatives from 1841 until 1856 when he was appointed Chaplain and Professor of Geography, History, and Ethics at the Military Academy at West Point by President Franklin Pierce. He was notified of his appointment by Pierce’s Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, and they remained lifelong friends. This friendship caused some to question French’s loyalty at the outbreak of the Civil War. Also included is a handwritten copy of a manuscript document of French’s, 13 pages on seven sheets, attesting to his devotion to the Union. In part: “turned to General Scott, and sought to effect an entire reliance of the President upon him. I advised bringing President Lincoln incognito to Washington, more than a month before the inauguration, and the forming of a perfect chain of offensive and defensive measures, between Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Lincoln and Genl Scott, known only to themselves. Genl. Scott still has these letters of mine on this subject. I refer to him. These were not the acts of one wanting in devotion to the Union…My letters will show that I was successful. It will be seen that I predicted each thing which subsequently took place. I forewarned of dangers which afterwards arose.”