Lot 4338
Madison, Dolley Payne and Madison, James (1768-1849) Wife of James Madison, the 4th President of the U.S. Autograph Letter Signed ("D.P. Madison"), Montpelier, January 29, 1834, 1¼ pages, quarto. With integral address leaf free franked and addressed by former President James Madison ("Free James Madison / Genl. James Taylor / Washington"). Dolley writes a friendly letter to the general with some political observations. In part: "…The political agitations are only known to us through the newspapers. They exhibit a complexity and confusion in the state of parties, and in the prospect before us, which was impenetrable to those in national situations, and not a little so, perhaps to those in the principal Theatre. If Mr. M[adison] does not expose his views and opinions of persons and things, it is certainly not for want of the fullest confidence in you, but from the difficulty he finds in forming them without further developments…." Very neatly written; a couple of small fold splits, and normal folds. Light soiling to address leaf, which has a black circular postmark, "Orange CH Va. JAN 30," red wax seal, paper remnant covering part of docket.
The "political agitations" mentioned in the letter probably refer to the on-going conflict between President Andrew Jackson and a coalition headed by Henry Clay over the Bank of the United States. Jackson had vetoed an act to re-charter the bank and had withdrawn federal deposits from the bank. Clay obtained a Senate resolution to obtain a paper on the bank issue that Jackson had read to his cabinet. Jackson refused to hand it over and, on March 28, 1834, for the first and only time, the Senate censured a President. It was later expunged from the records just weeks before Jackson's retirement.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
|
| |
| Realized $1,725 |
