
James Buchanan, Ill with Dysentery Before His Inauguration, Declines Jefferson Davis’ Invitation to Dine
Wheatland, 20 February 57
My dear Sir
I have received your kind invitation to dinner for the 28th Instant this afternoon. It ought to have reached me yesterday afternoon, but the Washington mail failed, a [...] which it often performs.
I can say in great sincerity that there is no gentleman in the land with whom it would afford me greater pleasure to dine than yourself. Indeed, the invitation gratifies me very much. But I have not been in a condition to dine out since I left Washington. My disease has been checked & has returned two or three times since my return. I must not have it if possible on the 4th March: & I am now living with great caution. For this reason & others of a pressing character, I do not intend to go to Washington before Saturday the 28th & probably not till Monday 2nd March.
I am grateful to learn from a reliable source that you will be pleased with the appointment of General Cass. It is, I think, the best that under all circumstances could have been made. I intend tomorrow to make him a formal offer of it.
from your friend
very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN
Hon. Jefferson Davis
My dear Sir
I have received your kind invitation to dinner for the 28th Instant this afternoon. It ought to have reached me yesterday afternoon, but the Washington mail failed, a [...] which it often performs.
I can say in great sincerity that there is no gentleman in the land with whom it would afford me greater pleasure to dine than yourself. Indeed, the invitation gratifies me very much. But I have not been in a condition to dine out since I left Washington. My disease has been checked & has returned two or three times since my return. I must not have it if possible on the 4th March: & I am now living with great caution. For this reason & others of a pressing character, I do not intend to go to Washington before Saturday the 28th & probably not till Monday 2nd March.
I am grateful to learn from a reliable source that you will be pleased with the appointment of General Cass. It is, I think, the best that under all circumstances could have been made. I intend tomorrow to make him a formal offer of it.
from your friend
very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN
Hon. Jefferson Davis