Autographs
1876 “Jefferson Davis” President of the Confederacy ALS
JEFFERSON “JEFF” DAVIS (1808-1889). American Statesman and Leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as the CSA President for its entire history.
March 19, 1876-Dated United States Centennial Period, Autograph Letter Signed, “Jefferson Davis” on very clean light blue ruled wove period paper, 4 pages, measuring 8” x 5”, Choice Very Fine. This letter is written to General William Montague Browne, who had been on the personal staff of Davis during the Civil War, regarding a failed business venture. Davis became president of the Carolina Insurance Company in 1870. In this finely and well written letter, two small file pinholes in the top blank margin. Davis denies his responsibility for a company's failure. It reads, in part:

"…I lost enough of money by that loosely conducted injudicious transaction to be quite unwilling to bear the responsibility of the failure of that company which I believe only lasted thus long by the means it derived from the Carolina. Had my proposition to examine into its affairs been adopted its unsoundness would have been revealed soon after examination commenced…Our babes in the woods went into a den of wolves. Not knowing even the meaning of the terms employed they bargained with two of the sharpest and least accomplished men in the town and relied on their oral appearances and on their 'honor'…"

Jefferson Davis goes on to relate payouts from the liquidation of the company by Carolina Insurance in Virginia and South Carolina. A scarce and beautifully written letter having a very large 3.75” long full signature “Jefferson Davis.” Also accompanied by a separate letter from 1979 of authenticity by noted Autograph dealer Joseph Rubinfine. The current Sanders Autograph price guide lists his ALS at $4,000 in value. This Letter is a particularly lovely, clean example.