Niece (1830–1903) of lifelong bachelor President James Buchanan, who acted as First Lady of the United States from 1857 to 1861. ALS signed “H. Lane,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.25 x 7.25, April 25, 1861. In full: “The enclosed has just arrived by this morning’s mail. We were all glad to find from your letter to Uncle that there was nothing very serious in your recall home—still the causes made it quite necessary for you to go but we all hope that the alarm may soon cease & that we will see you here again. Uncle is quite well—he has been holding ‘a reception’ ever since you left us. From all accounts the soldiers who are here fancy themselves on ‘a frolic’ & that upon their own domains. Pray remember me kindly to the boys. I was delighted to see them here. I hope our troubles may soon cease & that we will see them after. Their visit gave us all sincere pleasure. I am writing at your table as you will judge from the style of paper used. Come back when you can.” Intersecting horizontal and vertical folds (with one vertical fold more pronounced), and some scattered light foxing, otherwise fine condition.
April 1861 was one of the most important months in US history, with the start of the Civil War, the panic of Lincoln's presidential inauguration, and the subsequent fear that Washington D.C. was about to be overrun by rebels. Such uncertainty is apparent in this letter as Lane writes about “Uncle”—the nation’s 15th president James Buchanan. By April 25, there existed an unrealistic hope that “our troubles may soon cease,” and the war would end. With seven states having seceded by the time Buchanan retired from office, such a speedy conclusion, in retrospect, was unlikely. Even so, the former president availed himself to host “a reception”—undoubtedly for the thousands of Pennsylvania troops pouring south to answer Lincoln’s call to arms—men who, according to Lane, “fancy themselves on ‘a frolic.’” As brother turned against brother, Lane—an attractive and popular woman in her 20s who had created a successful White House social scene—did her best to maintain some civility in her uncle’s name. Her popularity and her advocacy work left her with a legacy of being one of the first of the modern first ladies. A scarce and desirable exemplar with superior content regarding the opening days of the Civil War. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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