“ALL MY BOOKS, PAPERS AND LETTERS WERE 'CAPTURED' AND ACCESS TO THEM IS DENIED TO ME”: JEFFERSON DAVIS’ HISTORY OF THE CONFEDERACY, FIRST EDITION, WITH 1878 AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY DAVIS ON THE HARDSHIP OF WRITING THIS HISTORY

DAVIS, Jefferson. The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government. New York: D. Appleton, 1881. Two volumes. Thick octavo, original brown cloth gilt, patterned endpapers.

First edition of Jefferson Davis’ seminal history of the Confederacy, one of the most important works on the Civil War written by one of the conflict’s primary figures, and one of the major arguments for the Constitutional basis of the war, with 18 maps (14 folding, four in-text) and 19 plates, including stipple-engraved portraits of Davis, members of the presidential staff, General Lee, and others. This copy together with a two-page autograph letter signed by Davis, penned in 1878, describing the hardship of writing this very history, "because all my books, papers and letters were 'captured' and access to them denied to me."

"As president of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis directed the new nation's mighty struggle for independence… Born on the Kentucky frontier in the first decade of the 19th century, he witnessed and participated in the epochal transformation of the United States from fledgling country to a strong nation spanning the continent… His views, which he never recanted, were enshrined in his Rise and Fall, which was published in 1881" (Cooper, Jefferson Davis, xvii-xxi). Rise and Fall was Davis' "magnum opus… This was not a conventional memoir that tells the story of the subject's life. Instead, Rise and Fall was in large part a massive, legalistic, dense and impersonal defense of states' rights, secession, and Southern independence" (Swanson, 363). This is "probably the most scholarly recital of the 'states rights' arguments, since it was written by the leader of the movement after mature reflection" (Channing, 2156). "Every impartial reader must recognize the ability with which Davis' history is composed… and the value which it possesses as the authentic commentary on the most momentous episode in the history of the United States" (Allibone Supplement I:461).

The letter, addressed to Joseph Riley Esq. and dated Mississippi City, 23d Jany 1878, reads in full: "My good Friend, yours forwarded to me from Memphis, has been received. As a general rule you may rely on the reverse of what the newspapers say of me is the truth. So it is in regard to the statement you have noticed that I had nearly finished 'a history of the late war,' it would have been more correct if it had been stated that I had commenced one. The work will require much time, the more because all my books, papers and letters were 'captured' and access to them is denied to me. When the work is completed the MS. will be put in the hands of the Appletons of New York for publication and distribution. My only connection with it being to write it.

"Mrs. Davis has not lost any more albums for the sufficient reason that she had no more for the hunters of relics to seize. It would give me great pleasure to visit you at your home, should chance ever enable me to do so, but whether that will be the case, let time and tide determine. We remember the kind service your honest heart prompted you to render to us, and ever gratefully thank you for the act, and also for the proof it gave, that the bond of humanity and integrity had not been utterly broken. With best wishes for your welfare and happiness I am sincerely yours, [signed] Jefferson Davis." Each volume with two rear leaves of publisher's advertisements. Containing 18 maps (14 folding) and 19 plates, including engraved portraits of Davis, members of the presidential staff, General Lee, and others. Howes D120. In Tall Cotton 34. Nevins II:51.

Occasional foxing to plates, text clean, books near-fine, nicer than often found. Letter with faint marginal dampstaining not affecting legibility; Davis' signature bold and clear. An excellent copy with a desirable autograph letter by Davis discussing its composition.