Spring Discovery Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2013
5th American President. Autograph Letter Signed, "Jas Monroe" as Secretary of State, 1 page, May 18, 1815, Fredricksburg, Virginia, 9.75" x 7.5", Very Fine. Three vertical folds, with a slight ink smear through one word of text, some foxing around edges. Monroe writes in a strong hand and signs boldly. The War of 1812 had ended a few months earlier in the year. Waterloo and the end of Napoleon was exactly one month in the future. In this climate the future President seems anxious to do the service for his correspondent of advancing Mr. Everett's cause in the Netherlands. "Having impress'd that your friend Mr. Everett [probably Alexander Hill Everett, 1790-1847, charges d'affaires at the Hague 1818-24 would meet with Eustis, I had post-pon'd forwarding the letter you had requested in his favor to ... Holland, in the expectation that it would be in time if receiv' d before the departure of the minister .. .!t was my
I intention to have transmitted it from Richmond, at which place I contemplated answering many other private letters. I heard yesterday by accident that Mr. Everett ... had sailed ... which induced me to transmit immediately the enclosed. ... you may perhaps forward it after him in time to reach him in England .. .! shall regret much if a mistake as to the time of his departure shall have deprived me of the opportunity of doing ... some small service to your friend. Mrs. Monroe writes with me in respectful regards to your parents and sisters ... " A nice Monroe ALS in excellent condition.
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