Kennedy, John Pendleton

One and one-half page autograph letter signed to B[enjamin] B[rown] French

Baltimore: December 14, 1847. 4to, on integral leaves, approx. 22 lines and 150 words, in ink; very good. U.S. Congressman, Secretary of the Navy, political pamphleteer and novelist, Kennedy writes to thank French for providing information from the Congressional Globe, acknowledging tardiness and sending payment. "I have been constantly under the expectation of making a visit to Washington when I hoped to make my acknowledgements, and with them the payment of my debt to you in person. As my visit still seems to be deferred ... I beg to enclose you the five dollars I owe, and to thank you for the very acceptable service ... The most unpleasant thing that belongs to the turn of the political wheel is the displacement of friends. But this is the fortune of war, and I know you are too much of a philosopher to take it otherwise than as a good soldier might." French (1800-1870) was a government insider, Commission of Public Buildings in Washington, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, and he played a major role in extending the U.S. Capitol and building the Capitol dome. He also witnessed a number of historical events including the Gettysburg Address and the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. Item #54984

Price: $375.00