Signed Documents of The South from Joe Rubinfine
The South from Joe Rubinfine.
By Michael Stillman
It is a land of contradiction. The South was a leader in America's fight for freedom and liberty during the Revolution. Four of the nation's first five presidents were southerners. Yet, its "peculiar" institution, the antithesis of everything good for which the nation stood, would lead it to try to break apart that union it was so instrumental in forming. It is hard to understand why. One can only wonder what America's history would have been like without slavery and the racial animosities it spawned. We can only have a dream.
The latest catalogue from Joe Rubinfine is titled The South. It is a collection of manuscripts and signed printed material pertaining to that part of America. Most of the works relate to one of those two defining moments, The Revolution and the Civil War. However, there is some material from between those wars, and more, particularly of literary interest, from the 20th century. Here are a few of those items from the land of cotton and contradiction.
No one is more responsible for America's freedoms than Virginian George Washington. His success at leading American troops to victory in the Revolution resulted in such an outpouring of affection that he could have become king. He didn't want it. He wanted a government freely chosen by the people. Item 16 is a letter Washington wrote to one William Smith on June 8, 1788. The primary subject was the ship "Federalist," a 15-foot mini-ship he had given Washington. The General has great praise for the ingenuity of this built to small-scale ship, but also talks of more weighty matters, the new U.S. constitution then being debated. Maryland had ratified the document, but it was under challenge in Virginia. Washington makes his sentiments clear. Says Washington, "I cannot entertain an idea that the voice of the Convention of this State [Virginia] which is now in Session, will be dissonant from that of her nearly-allied Sister [Maryland]. Priced at $125,000.
Item 18 is a most interesting personal letter from George Washington to his brother John. Evidently, John Washington was short on funds, and his famous brother had tried, without much success, to help him obtain a loan. He then explains, "If I could furnish you I would do it with pleasure, but I am in debt myself without the means of discharging them, and besides, am exposed to great expenses." The year was 1784, and many who had been of reasonable means before found themselves in difficult straits after the Revolution. The future President then notes that he will have to sell some property, for while he is owed money by others, he sees no immediate prospects of being able to collect it. Washington next thanks his brother for some holly berries, and says that in the spring, he will be sending for some trees promised by Colonel Harry Lee. That would be Light Horse Harry Lee, Washington's trusted aide and Revolutionary War hero, whose own finances would eventually become so bad he would end up in debtor's prison. $11,500.
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Signed Documents of The South from Joe Rubinfine
George Washington expresses his hopes for adoption of the new constitution.
Fast forward 77 years and the names are the same, but the world has been turned upside down. John A. Washington III was the great grand-nephew of George, and the last Washington to hold title to Mount Vernon. In 1861, he was a colonel in the Confederate army. This Washington, however, was the aide, not the boss. His boss was Robert E. Lee, Light Horse Harry's son. Together, they strove to tear apart the nation their forbearers had created. Item 84 is a collection of seven letters John A. Washington wrote to his 13-year-old daughter in 1861. He provides advice to young "Lily" (Eliza), and describes his own travels. On July 17 he writes, "we are off to war at last, Gen. Lee, Mr. Taylor and I leave here tomorrow morning for Staunton..." On August 26, he explains that most of his property has either been taken by the enemy or rendered useless, and the income he used to receive from it is gone. He advises the children to save all possible expenses. On September 6, he reports he expects to be advancing on the enemy the next day. He signs off, "Good bye dear Lily, as soon as anything occurs I shall certainly write if I can..." It was his last letter. This story does not have a happy ending like that of great great Uncle George. A week later, while on a scouting mission with Lee's son, young Washington was killed. Four years later, Light Horse Harry's son would surrender. The Union held together. $15,000.
Here is a reminder of another Washington and Lee connection, in earlier, happier, united times. It is a letter from Eliza Lewis to her friend Mary Anna Randolph Custis on December 17, 1828. Miss Custis was the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, and, at the time, the future Mrs. Robert E. Lee. It is filled with gossip about the social aristocracy of Virginia. At one point Miss Lewis comments, "you did not mention Mr. Lee, I presume he is still a worshiper at your shrine..." Obviously, he was, for they married two and one-half years later. Item 78. $500.
While these young ladies were having a splendid time in late 1828, master orator and Great Compromiser Henry Clay was most morose. Clay had thrown his support to John Quincy Adams in the 1824 election, enabling the latter to defeat Andrew Jackson despite Jackson's winning the plurality of the popular vote. Adams named Clay Secretary of State, which Jackson's supporters labeled a "corrupt bargain," believing the appointment was a trade for support. Four years later, Jackson trounced Adams in the rematch, a most distressing result for Clay. This was made worse by the fact that Jackson carried Clay's home state of Kentucky. Clay states that it is his duty to submit to the will of the people, though, "as a lover of liberty, I shall ever deeply deplore it." The results from his home state, he says, "will mortify and distress me." Clay concludes, "I hope, nevertheless, that I shall find myself able to sustain with composure the shock of this event, and every other trial to which I shall be destined..." The melodramatic Clay would be subject to more trials, as he would lose two more presidential elections, and though being one of America's greatest statesmen, never make it to the highest office in the land. Item 67. $4,500.
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Signed Documents of The South from Joe Rubinfine
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We have only touched the surface. There are many more documents available, including those from both generals and ordinary foot soldiers in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. There is a letter from President Thomas Jefferson looking forward to his retirement and return to farming ("...to retire altogether from public affairs, and to indulge myself in those pursuits more delightful to me...). There is a letter from an aged former President James Madison to Jefferson's nephew. A letter of recommendation sent to President Polk (with the President's handwritten notation) includes the signatures of four Southern leaders from 1848, John Calhoun, Jefferson Davis, South Carolina Senator A.P. Butler and Mississippi Senator H.S. Foote. A note about his family genealogy comes from President Zachary Taylor, who survived only a little more than a year in office. There is a touching letter from Davis to his 8-year-old son in the closing days of the Civil War. There is a message from Booker T. Washington explaining that Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt had to cancel his visit to Tuskegee because the assassination of President McKinley had suddenly thrust him into the role of Chief of State. To inquire about these and the many other items in Joe Rubinfine's The South (List 155), he may be reached at 561-659-7077 (West Palm Beach, Florida) or via email at Joerubinfine@mindspring.com.
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