Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) to Alfred Edmund Burr
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02925.08 Author/Creator: Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) Place Written: Washington, D. C. Type: Letter signed Date: 9 April 1860 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20 x 25.6 cm. Order a Copy
Davis, a United States Senator from Mississippi, declines an invitation from Burr, Chairman of the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee, to attend a canvass preceding the 1860 presidential election. Writes "Although the state of my health & that of my family would not have allowed…I am sure I would have been much pleased with a visit to your state…My public duties however so completely engross my time as to leave me no opportunity for such enjoyments during the Session of Congress ...". Davis served as a U.S. congressman (1845-1846) and senator (1847-1851, 1857-1861) and as Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce (1853-1857). He was president of the Confederacy from 1861-1865.
Burr founded The Hartford Times, a Connecticut newspaper. Davis served as Representative 1845-1846, Senator 1847-1860, and as President of the Confederacy 1861-1865.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.