Rare Jefferson Letter Politically Relevant Today

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Given the current political climate, the words of President Thomas Jefferson in 1801 are remarkably prescient.

Consider it's been nearly 220 years since the principal author of the Declaration of Independence penned these observations from the White House to another founding father: "It is disheartening to see, on the approaching crisis of election, a division of that description of republicans, which has certainly no strength to spare. but, my dear friend, if we do not learn to sacrifice small differences of opinion, we can never act together."

In the letter, the newly elected president writes about division between Federalists and Republicans, and his belief that political divisiveness must be put aside for the good of all: "…every man cannot have his way in all things. if his own opinion prevails at some times, he should acquiesce on seeing that of others preponderate at others. without this mutual disposition we are disjointed individuals, but not a society."

This rare historical presidential document is a piece of American history that rarely surfaces, and the Potomack Company in Alexandria, Va., is pleased to offer the letter and other historical collections in its Feb. 2 auction. "A document like this is a chance to own a snapshot of presidential history with remarkable relevance to today's political issues," said Potomack owner-CEO Elizabeth Wainstein. "The words of Thomas Jefferson remind us all that, just as it was 200 years ago, political divisiveness is part of democracy."

The auction will feature other important Americana such as a segment created for the Civil War frieze on the exterior of the old Pension Building (now the National Building Museum) in 1887. The terracotta segment was made from a mold commissioned by Pension Building architect and Civil War Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs and depicts a Union General on horseback. It descended in the Meigs family and was found at the historic Sion Hill estate in Havre de Grace, Md.  Meigs was also a principal architect of Arlington National Cemetery.

The Americana session also includes a Boston bonnet-top chest on chest, circa 1770, inscribed "S.F. Smith, Newton Centre, Mass.," Samuel Francis Smith (1808-1895), author of "My Country 'Tis of Thee."

Contact:
[email protected]
703-684-4550
www.potomackcompany.com

SOURCE The Potomack Company

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