Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - February - 2006 Issue
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.
