Description:

The President & First Lady of the Confederacy! On one sheet, separate letters of Jefferson Davis and Varina Davis to John W. French, Chaplain at West Point _ each mentions President James Buchanan

John W. French (1808-1871) was Chaplain of the House of Representatives from 1841 until 1856 when he was appointed Chaplain and Professor of Geography, History, and Ethics at the Military Academy at West Point by President Franklin Pierce. He was notified of his appointment by Pierce's Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, West Point, Class of 1828. French served at West Point until his death in 1871.

(1) Sen. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi relates a conversation he recently had with President James Buchanan about appointing French's son to West Point.

Gilt-edged Manuscript Letter Signed "Jeffer. Davis" as U.S. Senator, 1p, 6.5" x 8", and Autograph Letter Signed "V. Davis", 2p, on verso of her husband's letter continuing onto the conjoined second leaf. Washington, March 16, 1859. Mrs. Davis also lightly but legibly handwrote her husband's letter which her husband dated "Washington. / March 16th 1859" and signed. Fine condition.

Davis writes Mr. French, in full, "Before the receipt of yours of the 3d Inst. and very soon thereafter I mentioned to the President [Buchanan] the subject of your son's appointment to West Point, though he did not answer me positively, his reply was such as to discourage the hopes I had entertained in that connexion. I however pressed the subject further upon him, and received a general assurance of consideration. I stated to him with perhaps more distinctness than courtesy the history of our disappointment in relations to the Midshipmans warrant. I enclose you a letter of Mr Toucey's [Secretary of the Navy Issac Toucey] on that subject. I am now packing my trunk to leave for home by the next train, and begging you to excuse this hurried letter am as ever affectionately your friend Jeffer. Davis"

(2) Mrs. Davis asks for French's prayers for her husband's safety and tells him she will go to Buchanan and "beg him into appointing" French's son to West Point.

Mrs. Varina Davis writes Mr. French, in part, "In the hurry of Jeff's departure I can only say how thankful I feel to you for the kind letters you have sent me, and how precious they are to me ... Won't you now join your prayers to mine that Jeff may come back safe and not suffer by the exposure ... He is pretty well, but labors to much, as I too unceasingly _ I read your advice to him, but alas with as little hope as I had to his doing you good when you were working yourself down ... you were to us in the darkest hour of our lives more than friend, wiser than Brother, more faithful, gentle and soothing, and considerate than earthly Fathers often are to stricken children..." Their first born Samuel died in 1854 a month before his 2nd birthday. Daughter Margaret was born in 1855, son Jefferson Jr. in 1857, and, just a month after this letter, on April 18, 1859, son Joseph was born. They had two more children, son William in 1861 and daughter Varina (Winnie) in 1864. Pray continue to write often, and long letters ... I only wish we could say something in return cheering to Mrs French and yourself about Johnny _ I will go and see Mr. Buchanan myself about him _ maybe I can beg him into appointing him ... My children are stout rosy little things, and the boy is good..."

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