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Davis Jefferson 1807 - 1889 Signed twice by Davis! Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, who 10 days earlier had dismissed West Point Chaplain William T. Sprole, replacing him with John W. French, suggests that Sprole's request to temporarily share the new chaplain's living quarters be the decision of the Superintendent of West Point not French's Autograph Letter Signed "Jeffer..Davis," and Autograph Endorsement Signed "Jeffer..Davis," as Secretary of War, 1.5p, 7.75" x 9.75", front & verso, with blank integral leaf. [Washington], August 26, 1856. [To John W. French]. Mailing folds. Fine condition.

In full, "For the reasons set forth in the endorsement and a desire to save you from any annoyance I determined to send the application of Mr. Sprole to the Engt. bureau. The following is a copy of the endorsement made on the letter of Mr. S. Ever truly yours Jeffer..Davis Aug. 26. 1856. Endorsement. Referred to the Engt bureau. The period asked for being indefinite I think it proper to say that the duties of the Professor would not permit him for more than a very short period to have less than the undivided possession of his quarters, and the interest of the Academy being paramount it is deemed better that the application should be decided by the Superintendent than be left to the generosity and kindness of the Professor. (Signed) Jeffer..Davis Sec. of War / War Dept. Aug. 26, 1856."

William T. Sprole was Chaplain of the Military Academy at West Point and Professor of Geography, History, and Ethics from March 2, 1847, until August 16, 1856, when he was replaced by John W. French. Evidently, Sprole had requested to temporarily share part of the Chaplain's quarters with French although, according to what Davis had written here, the period Sprole had asked for was "indefinite" and French's duties would only allow Sprole "a very short period" of time to share the quarters.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee was Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point from 1852 until 1855 when he was transferred to Texas to command the Second U.S. Cavalry Regiment. On October 24, 1856, from Texas, Lee wrote his wife, in part, "I have read in a stray number of the New York Times, that reached here somehow, a violent attack upon Secretary Davis for the removal of Professor Sprole. It makes out a severe charge against the Secretary, the merits of which, though I am sorry for the professor, I am too dull to see. The Secretary and President have surely the right to appoint whom they think best to fill the station…"

John W. French (1808-1871) was Chaplain of the House of Representatives from 1841 until August 1856 when he was informed by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis that President Franklin Pierce had appointed him Chaplain and Professor of Geography, History, and Ethics at the Military Academy. French served at West Point until his death in 1871.

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