James Buchanan 1837 Autograph Letter Signed - Buchanan Orders Wine For Himself and "Col. King of Alabama"
15th President. Impressive autograph letter signed “James Buchanan” as Senator from Pennsylvania, November 8, 1837, sent from Lancaster, PA, in full:
Our mass at Washington, consisting of Col. King of Alabama, Col Nicholas of La, & myself desire to purchase from you a quarter cask of the same wine that you sent to me. As it would be inconvenient for us to keep it in the cask I would thank you to have it bottled & sent to Washington to the care of Mr. Ironsides, Seventh Street. The sooner, the better; as it will have time to settle. I hope we may have the pleasure of giving you a glass of it during the session. You will do so good as to send me the bill at the commencement of the session, including bottling.
Fantastic letter from Buchanan ordering a large amount of wine ahead of the next session of Congress. Interesting reference to “Col. King of Alabama” as William Rufus King was a close friend and political ally of Buchanan and the two men lived together from 1840 until King’s death in 1853. Contemporaries noted their unusual closeness with some mockingly referring to them as "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy” which led some historians to believe the bachelor Buchanan was the first gay man to serve as President.
The 25th United States Congress had three sessions in 1837 and 1838, plus a special Senate session:
Special session: March 4–10, 1837
1st session: September 4–October 16, 1837
2nd session: December 4, 1837–July 9, 1838
3rd session: December 3, 1838–March 3, 1839
15th President. Impressive autograph letter signed “James Buchanan” as Senator from Pennsylvania, November 8, 1837, sent from Lancaster, PA, in full:
Our mass at Washington, consisting of Col. King of Alabama, Col Nicholas of La, & myself desire to purchase from you a quarter cask of the same wine that you sent to me. As it would be inconvenient for us to keep it in the cask I would thank you to have it bottled & sent to Washington to the care of Mr. Ironsides, Seventh Street. The sooner, the better; as it will have time to settle. I hope we may have the pleasure of giving you a glass of it during the session. You will do so good as to send me the bill at the commencement of the session, including bottling.
Fantastic letter from Buchanan ordering a large amount of wine ahead of the next session of Congress. Interesting reference to “Col. King of Alabama” as William Rufus King was a close friend and political ally of Buchanan and the two men lived together from 1840 until King’s death in 1853. Contemporaries noted their unusual closeness with some mockingly referring to them as "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy” which led some historians to believe the bachelor Buchanan was the first gay man to serve as President.
The 25th United States Congress had three sessions in 1837 and 1838, plus a special Senate session:
Special session: March 4–10, 1837
1st session: September 4–October 16, 1837
2nd session: December 4, 1837–July 9, 1838
3rd session: December 3, 1838–March 3, 1839
15th President. Impressive autograph letter signed “James Buchanan” as Senator from Pennsylvania, November 8, 1837, sent from Lancaster, PA, in full:
Our mass at Washington, consisting of Col. King of Alabama, Col Nicholas of La, & myself desire to purchase from you a quarter cask of the same wine that you sent to me. As it would be inconvenient for us to keep it in the cask I would thank you to have it bottled & sent to Washington to the care of Mr. Ironsides, Seventh Street. The sooner, the better; as it will have time to settle. I hope we may have the pleasure of giving you a glass of it during the session. You will do so good as to send me the bill at the commencement of the session, including bottling.
Fantastic letter from Buchanan ordering a large amount of wine ahead of the next session of Congress. Interesting reference to “Col. King of Alabama” as William Rufus King was a close friend and political ally of Buchanan and the two men lived together from 1840 until King’s death in 1853. Contemporaries noted their unusual closeness with some mockingly referring to them as "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy” which led some historians to believe the bachelor Buchanan was the first gay man to serve as President.
The 25th United States Congress had three sessions in 1837 and 1838, plus a special Senate session:
Special session: March 4–10, 1837
1st session: September 4–October 16, 1837
2nd session: December 4, 1837–July 9, 1838
3rd session: December 3, 1838–March 3, 1839