Description:

Thomas Jefferson
n.p., ca. 1826
Printed Broadside of Jefferson's Last Letter, 15 Days Before Death, on DOI
Printed document
A printed broadside bearing the text of the last letter written by President Thomas Jefferson before his death in 1826. 1p, measuring 7" x 11". The date of this printing is unknown, but it is likely contemporary to Jefferson's passing. The original letter was written from Monticello on June 24, 1826 to Roger Weightman, late Mayor of Washington, D.C. In the letter, Jefferson declines an invitation to join a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence but expresses his hopes for the legacy of the document. At the top margin is an illustration depicting Lady Liberty displaying the art of printing to figures representing the other four continents. Slightly uneven edges with faint foxing. Some minor creasing in places. Overall very good.

In part:
"...The kind invitation I receive from you...as one of the surviving signers of an instrument pregnant to our own is most flattering to myself...It adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a personal participation in the rejoicings of that day. But acquiescence is a duty, under circumstances not placed among those we are permitted to control. I should indeed with peculiar delight have met and exchanged there [sic] congratulations personally with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us on that day in the bold and doubtful election we were able to make for our country, between submission or the sword...May it be to the world what I believe it will be...May it be to signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessing of security and self-government. That form which we have substituted restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion...For ourselves, let the annual return of this day, forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminishable devotion to them…"

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" x 11"
  • Medium: Printed document

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August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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