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Rare Jefferson Davis Autograph Letter Signed as Both CSA President & Confederate States of America President-Elect

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JEFFERSON “JEFF” DAVIS (1808-1889). American Statesman, President and Leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as the Confederate States of America President for the CSA’s entire Civil War Period history.

November 11, 1861-Dated Extremely Rare Civil War Period, CSA Politcal Content Autograph Letter Signed, “Jeffn Davis,” then serving as both the current Provisional President of the Confederacy, and as the President-Elect of the Confederate States of America, 1 page, measuring 6.5” x 8.5”, Richmond, VA., Very Fine. This important Confederacy related Letter is well written by Jeff Davis and easy to read, in brown ink on period wove paper, having light narrow white border traces at the outer perimeter from prior display. It mentions a radical member, Mr. [William L.] Yancey, a leader of the Southern Secession movement and member of the group known as the “Fire-Eaters”; Yancey was one of the most-effective agitators for Secession, and also rhetorical defenders of Slavery. Following Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 Presidential Campaign triumph, in January 1861 Yancey drafted the Secession Ordinance for Alabama. This November 11, 1861 dated ALS reads, in full:

“Richmond, Va. -- Nov. 11, 1861. -- My dear Sir, --- Upon the receipt of information sent through Mr. [James] Williams that Mr. [William L.] Yancey desired to return, a letter was written to him which authorized him to do so. The application was for recall but the authority was so given as to leave the question of his remaining at home, open for future consideration and decision - It was sent long since and he may now be on his way home. - Very respectfully, -- (Signed) Jeffn Davis.”

During the Civil War, Confederate President Jefferson Davis dispatched Willam Yancey to Europe on a mission to secure diplomatic recognition for the Confederacy; his efforts proved unsuccessful. In 1862, Yancey was elected to the Confederate Senate and served there until his death. Provenance Ex: EAHA Auction of December 9, 2016 Lot 18, then selling for $9,000.
William Lowndes Yancey (1814-1863) was a journalist, politician, orator, diplomat and an American leader of the Southern Secession movement. A member of the group known as the Fire-Eaters, Yancey was one of the most-effective agitators for Secession and rhetorical defenders of Slavery.

Yancey exceeded the views of many Southern partisans by calling for the resumption of the African Slave trade. In 1850, he opposed the compromise efforts of Henry Clay and called for Secession.

In 1860, Yancey attended the Democratic National Convention and worked to include Southern demands in the party platform. His efforts were opposed by the backers of Stephen A. Douglas, prompting a walkout by Yancey and other Southern delegates. He later attended the Southern Democratic Convention in Baltimore and worked on behalf of its candidate (see Election of 1860). Following Lincoln’s triumph, Yancey drafted the Secession Ordinance for Alabama in January 1861.
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