ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, December 8, 1857. Letter to his former private White House secretary Sidney Webster, written from aboard the steam frigate USS Powhatan en route to Madeira, in part: "When we left the Navy Yard yesterday under a bright sky and agreeable auspices, but while yet in site of Norfolk a slight accident occurred to one of the valves of the engine, which will detain us possibly until tomorrow. Our accommodations are so ample and complete that the detention will not be irksome. We shall probably receive the message today. In my mail which was sent down from the city this morning I received two copies of the (standard) Burke's paper at Concord. I am inclined to think that you cannot permit these charges and threats to pass unchecked. The matter strikes me as clearly libelous and altho' I would not advise you to institute a suit for the recovery of damages, it seems to me that the author if his name is given up should be indicted and punished. If the publisher refuses to give the name of the author then he assumes the responsibility & should himself receive the punishment. If you demand of the publisher the name of the author you will of course hand the brand the article as false in clear strong and comprehensive language. The article might be quite harmless if left to the ordinary…but the malignity of the writer has of course caused it to be sent to prominent men in all parts of the Country. I do not understand what an article can mean in reference to a witness in New York, whose testimony tended to implicate Genl. Cushing. If any steps are taken, the testimony of the engineer who had charge of the Patent & Post office (I think his name is Clark) & who was sent by me to New York to make a careful examination & report & who did report in favor of the Brick Church property at even $50,000 more than I finally decided to pay if a good title could be made out, w'd be very material. You will of course consult your friends particularly Colo. Green & Genl. Cushing, before taking any action…Mrs. Pierce is pretty blight and I continue to indulge high hopes of improvement for her both from the voyage & the fine climate of Madeira." In fine condition.
After leaving the White House Pierce spent much of his time tending to his wife, Jane, who was dying slowly of tuberculosis. The couple spent the winter of 1857-58 in the Portuguese islands of Madeira, where they studied French in anticipation of a tour of the continent. Their European travels during 1858-59 took them to Switzerland, Italy, Paris, and London, and when they returned stateside Pierce busied himself by purchasing various pieces of property in his home state of New Hampshire. He also kept up a steady stream of political correspondence and, before he and Jane left to spend the winter of 1859-60 in the Bahamas, Pierce wrote to his former secretary of war, Jefferson Davis, urging him to be the Democratic Party's 'standard bearer in 1860.'
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