Description:

Franklin Pierce 8pp "Private" ALS with Content Re: Friend Nath. Hawthorne

Autograph Letter Signed, "Franklin Pierce", 8pp, on two bifold sheets of his personal stationery, 5.75" x 8.5", Geneva, August 31, 1858. Pierce pens "Private" at top left of first page. Includes complete transcription, pictured here. Expected mailing folds, with a tiny bit of separation at edges; a small tear at top of first sheet, not affecting text; light creasing; else, in near fine condition.

Pierce's lengthy letter to Webster begins with news of his European travel plans, and those of his friends, "Hawthorne is in Florence but goes to Rome for the winter and it is quite probable that we shall make the journey to go there from F[lorence] in the early part of October." He then responds to communication from Webster, "I was a good deal fretted at first at what you say in relation to Union. It was an interference wholly unjustifiable with which I have little patience...I hope you have sent me the controversial articles to which you refer. I do not wish to see them to gain assurance that the trust was satisfactorily vindicated, but it would interest me of course. Were not Dr. Lorings articles republished in the Patriot? What a malignant and untruthful wretch Burke is. He has no letter of mine which I'm not willing to see published." 

Because of the political discord that marked his presidency, the Democratic Party failed to nominate Franklin Pierce for reelection. After leaving Washington, he briefly returned to his native New Hampshire before setting off on a three-year tour of Europe and the Bahamas. Though far removed from the political battles taking place in Washington, Pierce remained well informed of the goings-on in America by reading the newspaper and corresponding with friends like Sidney Webster, a New Hampshire native who served as President Pierce’s private White House secretary and, in 1892, published the biographical work Franklin Pierce and His Administration.

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) had a long time friendship with Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864); they met at Bowdoin College, from which they both graduated. The two friends were loyal to each other throughout their decades long relationship. As senator of New Hampshire, Pierce was able to help Hawthorne, who often struggled financially, procuring for him an easy and profitable position as measurer of coal and salt at the Boston Customs House, allowing Hawthorne to continue with his writing. In the mid-1800s, a campaign biography was a necessity for presidential candidates. Hawthorne volunteered to compose the publication, further cementing their friendship. Hawthorne's biography, The Life of Franklin Pierce, was supportive of Pierce's 1852 presidential campaign, which Pierce won, becoming the 14th president of the United States.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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