Description:

Free Franked Postmarked Address Leaf with recipient's notation " with order unto King for $70" - William R. King was Buchanan's longtime roommate in Washington, both rumored to be gay

JAMES BUCHANAN (1791-1868) Address leaf, 9.75" x 7.75", with 5" x 3" center panel franked in the upper right " Free / James Buchanan," addressed by the then-Pennsylvania Congressman to " Mr. John G. Rummer / Litiz / Lancaster County / Pennsylvania." Postal markings: " WASH CITY APR 21" and " FREE." Noted by the recipient in the lower left of the panel: " recd Apr. 25 / answ 26. / with order unto King / for $70." Red wax affixed to seal the letter in lower center beneath address panel, with resulting seal tear above the address panel. Fine condition.

A photocopy of the letter mailed with this free franked address leaf is present. In full, "Washington 21 April 1828. Dear Sir: Mr King called upon me on Friday last & informed me that he entertained no hope of obtaining any part of the claims against Mrs. Turner or Mr. Hollingshead; but he expects that at some future date the account against Eliza Holzman may be collected. He had not seen Mr. Stewart. In the course of the conversation he admitted that he had received $70 for the Institution but from whom he did not recollect; and he has promised to pay me that sum before the close of the Session. I would suggest to you the propriety of sending me an order on him for that amount; as he will probably require an authority from you before he will pay me the money..."

James Buchanan served in Washington, D.C., as Democratic Congressman and U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania (1821-1831, 1834-1845) and as Secretary of State (1845-1849). William R. King served in Washington, D.C., as Democratic Congressman (1811-1816) and U.S. Senator from Alabama (1819-1844, 1848-1852).

King was Buchanan's longtime roommate in Washington and close political ally. There were rumors that bachelors King and Buchanan were gay. Buchanan was so inseparable from King that others in Washington took note and made jokes about the pair. Aaron Brown (later Buchanan's Postmaster General) referred to King as Buchanan's " better half," " his wife," and " Aunt Fancy." Andrew Jackson nicknamed Buchanan " Miss Nancy" and King " Aunt Fancy." " Nancy" was a British slang word for an " effeminate or homosexual" boy or man. In 1844, after King left for Paris as U.S. Minister, Buchanan wrote a friend, "I am now solitary and alone, having no companion in the house with me. I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them..."

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