JEFFERSON
DAVIS. Letter Signed to Captain M[ontgomery] C. Meigs,
Senate Chamber [Washington, DC], 12 June 1858. 1 page, 8" x 5".
The future President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis was a West
Point graduate who in the years before the Civil War served twice as
a U.S. Senator from Mississippi (1847-51 and 1857-61) and as the Secretary
of War in Franklin Pierce’s administration (1853-57).
Here, while in the U.S. Senate, Davis writes to a notable army officer
to recommend someone for a job. "It is represented to me by
those in whom I have confidence," Davis states, "that
Mr. John R. Crockwell is a gentleman of excellent moral character, good
business qualifications and clerical capacity. I should be much gratified
if you would give him employment in that branch of the public service,
coming under your supervision." Davis has signed, "Jeffn.
Davis."
The letter is directed to Montgomery C. Meigs, a career U.S. Army officer
who at this date was in the Engineering Corps. He was at work overseeing
the building of the Washington Aqueduct, the wings and dome of the U.S.
Capitol, and an extension of the General Post Office building, as well
as other minor projects. During the Civil War, Meigs would serve as
Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army.
The letter is in very good condition, clean and darkly-penned. $1000.00
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