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MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE & ALBERT GALLATIN 2x Autograph EMIGRANT Letter Signed * PSA
$3,150.00
Guaranteed Authentic
Lafayette Double Signed Handwritten Letter with Remarkable Provenance from "America's Swiss Founding Father" Albert Gallatin
French aristocrat, Military Officer and international hero GILBERT DU MOTIER, the MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE, scarce handwritten personal letter – in English – to former U.S. Treasury Secretary, U.S. Minister to France and close, personal friend , ALBERT GALLATIN, with exceptional handwritten provenance from Gallatin himself. With Lafayette's handwritten address panel on verso. From the collection of prominent 19th c. Lockport, NY businessman and philanthropist, John Hodge. The letter essentially being double signed by Lafayette with an in-text additional signature "Lafayette".
In his letter to Gallatin, Lafayette is introducing a German physician, Dr. Weyland, who was traveling with a group of German emigrants intending to establish themselves in Arkansas. Lafayette says Weyland had been recommended to him by his friends in the Baden legislature, specifically the celebrated Karl von Rotteck and asks Gallatin to provide any assistance they may need. Gallatin knew what it meant to begin anew in America: born in Geneva, he had crossed the Atlantic as a young man and risen to become one of the nation’s most influential statesmen.
In full,
Paris June 6th 1833
My Dear friend
This Letter will Be delivered to you by the respectable Doctor Weyland who is going at the Head of a Colony of German emigrants with a view to settle themselves in the District of Arkansas. The Doctor is Highly recommended to me by my friends in the Baden legislature namely by the Celebrated Mr. de Rotteck. I beg you to favor him and his companions with good advice and the services in your power.
My family who had been lately increased by the birth of a Son of [Granddaughter] Mathilde Lafayette Burey [Bureaux de Pusy] has received the addition of another Boy By Her older Sister [Granddaughter] Nathalie Perrier [Périer]. Those who are about me join their tender Regards to you and family. Your most affectionate friend
Lafayette
Beneath Lafayette's letter, Gallatin's own handwritten provenance attesting as follows:
I do certify the above to be an original letter of General La Fayette to me, in his own hand writing, and which I received in July or August 1833 at Orange Springs N. Jersey, where it was sent to me from New York by one of my sons
Albert Gallatin
New York July 28th 1834
Gallatin was one of Lafayette's oldest American friends and an extraordinarily useful person to whom to recommend European emigrants. Gallatin had been Jefferson's and Madison's Secretary of the Treasury, a diplomat, congressman, financier and a European-born immigrant himself – and perhaps most importantly – the former United States Minister to France where he established a close relationship with the French General and Revolutionary War hero.
Sadly, Gallatin's own handwritten provenance comes just two months after the death of the former French general and his esteemed friend.
Condition is as shown, with dark toning, deep folds, scattered chipping, paper loss consistent with age, use, handling and extended display. Several tape repairs to verso. Document measures appx. 7.5" w x 7.75" h enclosed in 10" x 13" encapsulate.
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A handsome and impressive addition to the collection of the Revolutionary War buff, History aficionado, Francophile or autograph collector. An exceptional investment opportunity, and a truly rare and remarkable find.
Sold as is, as shown.