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Details
FILLMORE, Millard (1800-1874), President. Autograph letter signed ("Millard") to Mrs. A. L. Dixon (his cousin), Washington, 25 December 1840. 2½ pages, 4to, neat mends to small closed tears at creases.
"AGE HAS NOT YET CHILLED THE WARM BLOOD THAT POURS THROUGH MY HEART, NOR SHROUDED IN ITS DARKNESS THE BRILLIANCY OF A VIVID IMAGINATION"
A boisterous Christmas letter as Congressman Fillmore waxes rapturously about a woman other than his wife. He tells his cousin how much he regrets being unable to tear himself away from the closing weeks of the Congressional session. The upcoming Inauguration of President Harrison will also tie him down in the capital. "But we shall meet. Shall we not?... I should like to see that 'beautiful,' 'agreeable,' 'accomplished' and 'interesting' lady of whom you speak. Why you have given such an animated, glowing descriptions of her charms that I feel my heart beat quicker in reading it." Fillmore, the married father of two, seems intoxicated by his romantic fancy--or by something else--as he goes on in rapturous tones about this mysterious woman: "Indeed, I have literally fallen in love with your description. Were I her husband, I should be jealous of you. So faultless a picture could only be drawn by love's pencil. So make my best respects to the lady and tell her I would give a thousand----------to see her. But that if she answers your description I pray God not to lead me into such temptation, for age has not yet chilled the warm blood that pours through my heart, nor shrouded in its darkness the brilliancy of a vivid imagination. Therefore tell her to beware! and as she values my power of soul not to cross my path. But you need offer no other inducement than your own attraction to call me to the mountains could I escape from my imprisonment here. But I can't go. You must come. Will you? Don't disappoint me! Do come!"
"AGE HAS NOT YET CHILLED THE WARM BLOOD THAT POURS THROUGH MY HEART, NOR SHROUDED IN ITS DARKNESS THE BRILLIANCY OF A VIVID IMAGINATION"
A boisterous Christmas letter as Congressman Fillmore waxes rapturously about a woman other than his wife. He tells his cousin how much he regrets being unable to tear himself away from the closing weeks of the Congressional session. The upcoming Inauguration of President Harrison will also tie him down in the capital. "But we shall meet. Shall we not?... I should like to see that 'beautiful,' 'agreeable,' 'accomplished' and 'interesting' lady of whom you speak. Why you have given such an animated, glowing descriptions of her charms that I feel my heart beat quicker in reading it." Fillmore, the married father of two, seems intoxicated by his romantic fancy--or by something else--as he goes on in rapturous tones about this mysterious woman: "Indeed, I have literally fallen in love with your description. Were I her husband, I should be jealous of you. So faultless a picture could only be drawn by love's pencil. So make my best respects to the lady and tell her I would give a thousand----------to see her. But that if she answers your description I pray God not to lead me into such temptation, for age has not yet chilled the warm blood that pours through my heart, nor shrouded in its darkness the brilliancy of a vivid imagination. Therefore tell her to beware! and as she values my power of soul not to cross my path. But you need offer no other inducement than your own attraction to call me to the mountains could I escape from my imprisonment here. But I can't go. You must come. Will you? Don't disappoint me! Do come!"
Sale room notice
Please note that the illustration for lot 72 is mistakenly captioned in the catalogue as lot 73.