BUCHANAN, James (1791-1868), President . Autograph letter signed ("James Buchanan") to an unidentified recipient, Washington, 8 November 1847. 1½ pages, 4to, browning, owner's stamp on verso, otherwise fine. BACHELOR BUCHANAN PROFESSES A LOVE FOR WOMEN: "I HAVE FOUND THAT WOMAN IS BETTER, FAR BETTER, THAN MAN" An intriguing letter in which Buchanan acknowledges his admiration of Annie Payne and expresses a grand appreciation of women in general. Buchanan was the only man to remain a bachelor throughout his presidency. At the age of 28, Buchanan fell deeply in love with Anne Coleman, to whom he became engaged in the summer of 1819. She abruptly ended the relationship after a quarrel and soon died, possibly a suicide. Buchanan grieved intensely over the death of Anne and never became engaged again. Apparently, Buchanan remained susceptible to feminine attentions. Here, touching upon a topic that he rarely discussed, he acknowledges that he has received a request for poetry from Annie Payne and notes that she could certainly provide "a theme to kindle my poetic fire." He sadly notes, however, that "I have never been more successful in courting the muses than in wooing the terrestrial face. The latter, certainly, have been very ungrateful, for I have ever been their devoted worshipper." Buchanan readily professes his admiration for women: "I have visited many lands & have studied the character of different nations; and, in every clime, I have found that woman is better, far better, than man. She is more sincere & steady in her friendships, more pure & disinterested in her feelings, and her heart ever glows with gratitude towards those who have treated her with kindness. It is true, she is no angel, & for this I am thankful; because an angel would be a most dull & insipid being in the present sinful world. Her graceful caprices & coquetry, her whims...impart a zest to her society & render her the more captivating. But these are only on the surface and never reach her noble, generous & benevolent heart." Buchanan expresses a particular fondness for American women: "Whilst such is woman's character every where, in our favored land, it shines forth with brighter lustre & is clothed in a form of more brilliant beauty than in any other country." Buchanan concludes with praise of Annie: "I once told her she was a 'Harem-Scarum', & she insists that I shall write down this barbarous word in her album...Although gay as a lark, ever ready for frolic & fun & the life of every company which enjoys her presence; yet a deep under current of good sense & strict propriety controls all her conduct. In her nature, she is gentle & kind: & what is the crowning glory of woman, she is a Christian." Provenance : Dr. Max Thorek (ownership stamp)
BUCHANAN, James (1791-1868), President . Autograph letter signed ("James Buchanan") to an unidentified recipient, Washington, 8 November 1847. 1½ pages, 4to, browning, owner's stamp on verso, otherwise fine. BACHELOR BUCHANAN PROFESSES A LOVE FOR WOMEN: "I HAVE FOUND THAT WOMAN IS BETTER, FAR BETTER, THAN MAN" An intriguing letter in which Buchanan acknowledges his admiration of Annie Payne and expresses a grand appreciation of women in general. Buchanan was the only man to remain a bachelor throughout his presidency. At the age of 28, Buchanan fell deeply in love with Anne Coleman, to whom he became engaged in the summer of 1819. She abruptly ended the relationship after a quarrel and soon died, possibly a suicide. Buchanan grieved intensely over the death of Anne and never became engaged again. Apparently, Buchanan remained susceptible to feminine attentions. Here, touching upon a topic that he rarely discussed, he acknowledges that he has received a request for poetry from Annie Payne and notes that she could certainly provide "a theme to kindle my poetic fire." He sadly notes, however, that "I have never been more successful in courting the muses than in wooing the terrestrial face. The latter, certainly, have been very ungrateful, for I have ever been their devoted worshipper." Buchanan readily professes his admiration for women: "I have visited many lands & have studied the character of different nations; and, in every clime, I have found that woman is better, far better, than man. She is more sincere & steady in her friendships, more pure & disinterested in her feelings, and her heart ever glows with gratitude towards those who have treated her with kindness. It is true, she is no angel, & for this I am thankful; because an angel would be a most dull & insipid being in the present sinful world. Her graceful caprices & coquetry, her whims...impart a zest to her society & render her the more captivating. But these are only on the surface and never reach her noble, generous & benevolent heart." Buchanan expresses a particular fondness for American women: "Whilst such is woman's character every where, in our favored land, it shines forth with brighter lustre & is clothed in a form of more brilliant beauty than in any other country." Buchanan concludes with praise of Annie: "I once told her she was a 'Harem-Scarum', & she insists that I shall write down this barbarous word in her album...Although gay as a lark, ever ready for frolic & fun & the life of every company which enjoys her presence; yet a deep under current of good sense & strict propriety controls all her conduct. In her nature, she is gentle & kind: & what is the crowning glory of woman, she is a Christian." Provenance : Dr. Max Thorek (ownership stamp)
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
