Description:

Davis Jefferson

Jefferson Davis responds to "Robert Lee Stevens" about the Confederate Cabinet, actually written by Varina Davis


1p watermarked cream blue-lined paper inscribed and secretarially signed by Confederate President Jefferson Davis (1808/9-1889) as "Jefferson Davis." at bottom right. In near fine condition, with expected paper folds, overall toning, and a few wrinkled or chipped edges. The page measures 6" x 8.75." Accompanied by handwritten provenance inscribed: "Letter from Jefferson Davis - President of the Southern Confederacy. Written for Edward A. Wood who used the ruse of impersonating a small boy to obtain the autograph as Mr. Davis refused to give them to collectors."


"Robert Lee Stevens" was an alias used by Edward A. Wood to solicit an autograph from the elusive Confederate ex-President. Posing as a Virginia school boy doing research for a school project, "Master Stevens" inquired about the President's Confederate Cabinet. The joke was really on Edward A. Wood, however, as the letter was actually deceivingly penned by Davis's wife, Varina; the imitation is revealed by the period at the end of Davis's signed name.


On April 3, 1883 from Beauvoir, their estate in Hamson County, Mississippi, Jefferson Davis/Varina Davis wrote:


"Master Robert Lee Stevens.


Dear Young Friend,


I have received your's [sic of the 22nd Mch. and in answer to your inquiries state that the members of my first Cabinet were.


Robert Toombs of Georgia - Secty of State


Charles [sic G. Memminger of South Carolina Secty of Treasury


L. Pope Walker of Alabama Secty of War.


Stephen R. Mallory of Florida Secty of the Navy.


J.P. Benjamin of Louisiana Attorney Genl.


Jno. H. Reagan of Texas Post Master General.


Wishing you success in your composition and with the good wishes attaching to you as a native of Richmond I am


Your's [sic


Jefferson Davis."


Christopher, and not Charles, was the first name of Secretary of the Treasury Memminger; perhaps this was another slip by Varina Davis!


The transition from notorious insurrectionist leader to private citizen was difficult for Jefferson Davis. He tried to find work in the business sector, but his past political affiliation was often viewed as a prohibitive liability. Davis wrote articles and books, and toured the South. He lived at Beauvoir, Sarah Ellis Dorsey's cotton plantation in southern Mississippi, for the last 13 years of his life. Davis and his family moved into the main house, a Louisiana raised cottage style structure encircled by a covered porch, after Dorsey's death in 1879.


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