AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED
Wheatland near Lancaster: 27 June 1849. Letter. Two-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED "James Buchanan" on the recto and verso of the first leaf of a single folded sheet (7-3/4" x 9-5/8") to John Y. Mason, former Secretary of the Navy under President Polk, regarding the aging Dolley Madison (who would die about 2 weeks after this letter was written), plans for a visit, Pennsylvania politics, and possible investments in Virginia state bonds. Housed in a brown morocco-backed green cloth clamshell box (10-1/2" x 13"). Toward the end of her life, Dolley Madison (20 May 1768-12 July 1849), widow of the 4th president of the United States, lived in abject poverty. In 1849, Congress appropriated $20,000 toward the purchase of her husband's papers, and in her will, she appointed Buchanan, Mason, and Richard Smith as trustees. In this letter Buchanan, having recently served as Secretary of State under Polk writes to his fellow trustee. In part: "I returned from Washington last night, having done the best I could for Mrs. Madison. I found it difficult to persuade her that she ought not to have the whole premium placed in her hands at once, in which event it would have been of little or not service to her.... The old lady has greatly changed since I saw her last. She is now very feeble. It is my purpose, God willing, to pass the next winter at New Orleans.... It would do your heart good to see Walker. He is as plump as a partridge & as lively as a lark. He has already got 21 cases in the Supreme Court. Should a judicious selection be made of a Candidate for Canal Commissioner at Pittsburg on the 4th proximo, which I have no reason to doubt, we shall redeem this State, in handsome style in October; but the day has passed in Penn[sylvania] when a Democratic nomination is equivalent to an election. The popular will must now be consulted in the selection of Candidates: & this being done, we have as large a Democratic majority as ever." Interesting content with a typed transcript of the letter incorporated into a certificate of authenticity. Creasing from mailing. Near Fine in a Near Fine clamshell box. Item #022105
Price: $3,500.00