President James Buchanan, Strained in the Summer of 1860, Writes He Hasn't Time for His Friends

July 14, 1860

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President James Buchanan, Strained in the Summer of 1860, Writes He Hasn't Time for His Friends
Autograph Letter Signed
2 pages | SMC 989

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      Background

      In the last care-fraught months of his presidency, Buchanan writes that his public duties are so numerous and urgent, it has been impossible for him to enjoy the pleasure of corresponding with his friends. Still, he cordially reciprocates the friendly feelings of his correspondent, local historian T. Apoleon Cheney, and welcomes a copy of his "report” – most likely, Cheney’s “Thirteenth Report of the New York State Cabinet of Natural History."
      Autograph Letter Signed, as President, 2 pages, recto and verso, octavo, Washington, July 14, 1860. To T. Apoleon Cheney.
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      Washington 14 July 1860

      My dear Sir/

      I have received your very kind letter of the 13th ultimo.  Its receipt should long since have been acknowledged if it were possible for me to enjoy the pleasure of a private correspondence with any of my friends.  My public duties are so numerous & so urgent as to render this impossible.  Meanwhile rest assured that I cordially reciprocate towards yourself the friendly feelings which dictated your letter.

      I shall be most happy, indeed, 

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      to receive a copy of your report.

      Yours very respectfully,

      JAMES BUCHANAN


      T. Apoleon Cheney Esq