Lot 53
Madison, Dolly P. Miss Maury may have been the daughter of Madison's friend James Maury. Dolly Madison had little formal education, but over the years she learned a great deal through life with her husband, her expossure to public life, and her own reading. Here she has received a work by the English radical, William Cobbett. Her husband began to suffer terribly from rheumatism in the early 1830's; it continued with occasional remissions until his death in 1836. Madison bravely carried on as much social and intellectual activity as was possible during this period. "Montpellier" was the Madison family estate in Orange County, Virginia, to which James and Dolly had retired. A beautiful and clearly written letter with some light age toning. née Payne Todd (1768-1849). First Lady. Her first husband having died, she married James Madison in 1794. Extremely popular as first lady and a great asset to Madison's political career. In 1814, she saved many state papers of George Washington from the advancing British soldiers. In later life she retained a place in Washington society, and was granted a lifelong seat on the floor of the US House of Representatives.
Autograph Letter Signed. One page, small quarto, "Montpellier," Virginia, March 22, 1836, to Miss Maury. Dolly writes of the former President's fragile health, asks that Mis Maury's brother be thanked for a book, and comments on the vagaries of the mail service:
"Will you have the goodness to enclose with your next despatches, to your brother William, the letter I now send, to whose kindness, I feel much indebted for "Cobbetts Cottage Econemy," [sic] which came safe to hand some few days ago. You will also give Mr. Madison and myself the satisfaction of knowing, that your father and you are well, after our Greenland Winter… my husband has borne the [last] cold, and variable weather, better than we feared he would, and that I again look forward with hope, to the advantages he may derive from the approaching warm season… I enclose a letter you ought to have received many months ago---which has lately found its way back to me… I hope my last of Jany. 2d. has reached you without casualties… accept the assurances of our constant friendship… D. P. Madison".
Estimated Value $2,250 - 2,750.
|
| |
| Unsold |
