Description:

[James Madison]
Lynn, MA, February 22, 1814
James Madison's Slippers! MA Cobbler ALS Re: "handsome morning slippers for the President" With VP Elbridge Gerry Receiving Matching Pair!
ALS possibly docketed by James Madison

A letter packed with remarkable content relating to James Madison, Dolley Madison, Elbridge Gerry, and the War of 1812, with an integral address leaf possibly docketed by 4th U.S. President James Madison (1751-1836).

The item consists of a 3pp autograph letter signed by a Quaker shoemaker from Lynn, Massachusetts named Ebenezer Breed (1766-1839), signed by him as "= Eben:r Breed" at the center of the second page. February 22, 1814. "Nahant-Lynn," a peninsula located off of Lynn, Massachusetts. Inscribed on laid bifold paper with an integral address leaf addressed to "Dolly [sic] Madison / Washington City." The address leaf is possibly docketed by President Madison as "Eben.r Breed Esq. / 22d. Feb.y 1814." Remnants of a green wax seal on the address leaf. Expected wear including flattened folds, some with closed tears which have been repaired with tape on the second and third pages. Light even toning with isolated discoloration and stains. Chipped edges and some corner loss to the integral address leaf. Else very good. 7.25" x 11.75."
*There are no shoes included in this lot.

The Madisons had patronized Ebenezer Breed's Philadelphia cobbler's shop in the mid-1780s to mid-1790s. First Lady Dolley Madison (1768-1849), a celebrated fashionista, had charged Breed, now back in Massachusetts, to make her a dozen kid heel ladies shoes in four different colors. This letter contains Breed's accounting of that commission, and also presents a balance to the pre-paid bill. Breed took the liberty of making a $2 pair of "handsome morning slippers for the President" which matched a pair he also made for Vice President Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814). Gerry, a native of Marblehead, Massachusetts and the former Governor of the state, would not have long to enjoy the pair; he died less than 10 months later, in November 1814.

This outstanding letter is reproduced in part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"Nahant-Lynn 22 Feby 1814

Dolly Madison
Esteemed Friend

A few months ago Gen:l Bradley of Vermont was at this place and favoured me with an order and a pattern shoe to make some shoes by for thee - by some accident the patter shoe became mislaid and it was some time before I got it again or the shoes would have been made sooner - I have made thee one doz pairs and sent them as directed by Gen:l B- to Jon.a Dorr merchant of Boston who I expect has forwarded them to thee before this; - I took the liberty to make and send with thine a pair of handsome morning slippers for the President which I hope will not be deem'd by him an intrusion as I fancied that a pair of that kind and fashion would please him. If in makeing thine with those of his, I may have been so fortunate as to fit and meet your approbation it will afford me particular pleasure, enclosed is a bill, the amount of it is a little more than the money I have rec'd from Jon.a Dorr, this small balance thee can pay to my friend E Gerry the Vice President to whom I have written and informed that I also sent him a pair of slippers to thy care in the same package exactly like those of the President's…

I gratefully recollect thy friendly aid as a customer, and for they late order I beg leave to offer thee my sincere thanks - with the sentiment of esteem and regard, I am

Thy Friend

= Eben:r Breed

I don't know how long since Gen:l Bradley rec'd the order from thee - he did not hand it to e till he was down here last fall - from his frequent visits to this place I became acquainted with him, he used to be warm in eulogizing the Administration and republican measures, but in his last visit, he seemed beside himself and outrageous against the War - from this acquaintance with him he was thought on a former occasion to be a suitable person to hand the President and his Lady a sample of Lynn manufacture but the Lynn republicans are too firm in their attachment to the Government to be lead a stray by any wild notions - I have added the bill below -

5 pair white kid heel shoes @ 13/6 - $11.25
1 pair purple "-"-"- 13/6 - 2.25
3 pair pink "-"-"- 12/6 - 6.25
3 pair black "-"-"- 12/ - 6.00
1 pair morning slippers for the President - 12/ - 2.00…"

Breed's letter was dated February 22, 1814, just days after Congress ratified the Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812 on February 17, 1814. Breed's letter is replete with references praising President Madison's firm and wise war policies. As a domestic shoemaker, Breed favored tariffs imposed on European imports, and as a New Englander, he supported Madison's anti-British sympathies and his deeply rooted "republican" Federalism. The postscript of the letter contains a baffling description of one "General Bradley" from Vermont, who had been entrusted with delivering the First Lady's shoe patterns to Breed the previous year. While initially he seemed like a wartime stalwart, Breed reported with alarm that Bradley's latest position was vehemently anti-war and anti-administration. This unidentified General Bradley could have been related to U.S. Senator from Vermont Stephen R. Bradley.

Dolley Madison used clothing to establish her political role and legitimize the presidency. At 5'6" with black ringlets and blue eyes, Dolley had a statuesque frame that the Empire style clothing of the era only accentuated. Dolley cultivated her quasi-regal First Lady status by dressing in sumptuous materials like silk and velvet, sporting turbans, fans, muffs, and scarves, and accessorizing with diadems, necklaces, belts, and other jewelry. And as we know, on her feet were made-to-order high-heeled shoes in supple leather in many colors! James Madison may have had smaller feet than his wife Dolley; described as thin and small-boned, he stood 5'4" and weighed about 100 lbs.

Ebenezer Breed had met the Madisons through mutual Quaker friends in Philadelphia. In the early 1790s, during his Philadelphia period, Breed had traveled to England and the Continent to surreptitiously learn about European shoe-making techniques. His covert mission undermining European industry while simultaneously enriching American shoe-making earned him some celebrity. Sadly, after a series of misfortunes, Breed became addicted to alcohol and ended up in an almshouse.

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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  • Dimensions: 7.25" x 11.75"
  • Medium: ALS possibly docketed by James Madison

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