ALS as president, one page, 8 x 9.75, February 1837. Letter to Secretary of State John Forsythe, written on the second integral page of a letter to Jackson to be forwarded to the Consul at Vera Cruz. In full, “The enclosed letter has been forwarded to me by Mrs. Holly [sic] of Kentucky with the request that I should give it a safe conveyance—will you have the goodness to give it a conveyance to him thro our consul at Vera Cruz.”
The second integral page bears Mrs. Mary Austin Holley’s letter to Jackson, dated January 29, 1837. She writes, “I take the liberty of sending the enclosed under envelope to secure its safety under any disposition of General Santa Anna. Hoping through your friendly interposition a speedy adjustment of the affair of our now mourning Texas.” The reverse of each page bears an appropriate address panel, one to Jackson and one to Forsythe, with one retaining most of its black wax seal. Intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, some scattered light toning, a few small areas of paper loss, and cancellation and wax seal showing through from the reverse, otherwise fine condition.
Living in Lexington, Kentucky, while providing a home for her brother Henry Austin’s children, Mary Austin Holley became a strong advocate for the colony during the period of the Texas Revolution. Mourning the loss of her cousin, Stephen F. Austin, Mary penned this letter to President Jackson, hoping to insure its safe arrival despite potential interference from the recently defeated General Santa Anna. Sent back to Vera Cruz following his exile, Santa Anna’s ship was attacked en route, forcing him to Washington, DC, to meet with Jackson and guarantee peace for the newly founded Republic. An interesting correspondence from a crucial time in Texas history. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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