Beschreibung:

An early letter from West Point Jefferson Davis, 29 February 1828 DAVIS, Jefferson (1808-1889). Autograph letter signed ("Jefn. Davis") to Alfred Jefferson Lewis, West Point, 29 February 1828. Two pages, 246 x 201mm bifolium (silked, two losses from seal tear not affecting text). Addressed in Davis's hand on the integral transmittal leaf with a black “West Point Feb” cancellation. A rare and early letter from Davis at West Point responding cautiously to a friend’s request to reproduce a set of confidential Academy regulations, apparently to aid another friend’s publication. Davis trusted his correspondent, a fellow cadet who left West Point to pursue a career in law, to "draw the proper line of distinction between the letter and the spirit of the regulations." that had yet to be "printed in the pamphlet form," nor had they "been issued to cadets, therefore it is not in [my] power to send them to you ." He was, however willing to paraphrase, including an unpublished regulation that, ironically in this instance, came close to home: "All publications relative to the Military Academy or to transactions at the Military Academy are strictly prohibited. Any professor, assistant professor, teacher, academic officer or cadet therefore who shall be at all concerned in writing or publishing any article of such character in any newspaper or pamphlet or in writing or publishing any hand-bill shall be dismissed [from] the service or otherwise severely punished." This would not be Davis's only with insubordination—two years later he would find himself under house arrest for smuggling in the whiskey that fueled the infamous 1826 West Point Eggnog Riot. [ With :] LEWIS, Theodore (b. 1803). Autograph letter signed (“Theodore Lewis”) to his brother, Alfred Jefferson Lewis, n.p., n.d. One page, 244 x 195 mm bifolium (silked, text faded but legible, loss to address panel not affecting text). “This will be handed you by Mr. Davis, a Mississippian... He leaves this University to complete his education at West Point. So distant from your home and friends, I hope you may develop a friendship for each other which will cease only in the grave...” Lewis would serve with Davis during the Mexican War (“The Early Life of Jefferson Davis,” Proceedings of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association. .., Vol. 9, 1915, p. 173). Provenance : Armand Hawkins – sold to Alonzo J. Tullock, 1995 – by descent to the consignors.