Hand-addressed and free-franked mailing envelope, 5.25 x 3, addressed by Davis to “Revd. J.W. French, U.S. Mil. Academy, West Point, New York,” and franked in the upper right, “Jeffer. Davis, USS.” In very good to fine condition, with a tear through the top of Davis's franking signature caused by the recipient. John W. French served as chaplain of the House of Representatives from 1841 until 1856, when he was appointed Chaplain and Professor of Geography, History, and Ethics at the Military Academy at West Point by President Franklin Pierce. He was notified of his appointment by Pierce’s Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, and they remained lifelong friends. This friendship caused some to question French’s loyalty at the outbreak of the Civil War.
Also included is a bound manuscript copy of a document in which J. W. French attests to his devotion to the Union, 13 pages on seven sheets, 8.25 x 13, submitted to the Secretary of War on July 17, 1861. In part: “On my honor and conscience, I declare that I am loyal to the constitution, the Union, and the administration. I repeat the declaration that of all men in the land, I am the last on whom such a suspicion should rest…I appeal to the testimony of my colleagues and pupils whether they have ever heard from me in public teaching or private conversation, anything which can bear the shadow of such suspicion; whether, on the contrary, I have not most warmly advocated loyalty and devotion to the Union…I felt the troubles of the country as I would a personal affliction from my strong nationality of sentiment. I was made sick by it in December and January. Supposing Mr. Jefferson Davis national and knowing that he had influence with Mr. Buchanan, I wrote to him earnestly advising the employment of force, and pointing out measures, some of them since adopted…I turned to General Scott, and sought to effect an entire reliance of the President upon him. I advised bringing President Lincoln incognito to Washington, more than a month before the inauguration, and the forming of a perfect chain of offensive and defensive measures, between Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Lincoln and Genl. Scott, known only to themselves. Genl. Scott still has these letters of mine on this subject. I refer to him. These were not the acts of one wanting in devotion to the Union.”
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