Varina Davis Writes A Lengthy Letter: “I Should Not Value The Treasures Of Golconda If I Felt My Own People Diapproved Of Me. I Shall Never Drift Away From Them Until I Am Laid To Rest Where Nothing Can Vex Me More”

VARINA DAVIS (1826-1906). The wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Varina was a powerful partner and the First Lady of the Confederacy. She helped her husband write his memoirs and carried on his memory after his death. ALS. 4pg. 3” x 4”. March 18, 1904. Atlantic City, New Jersey. A lengthy autograph letter signed “Varina Jefferson Davis” to Mrs. Cappleman of Little Rock, Arkansas. Writing from Atlantic City, the First Lady of the Confederacy wrote in part: “Many affectionate thanks for your kind letter. I need no assurance of your kind feeling yet it is pleasant to have it from you. Of course I will trust your delicate sense of the fitness of things and give my consent to anythng you may desire to do in behalf of my good name among my own people. I should not value the treasures of Golconda if I felt my own people diapproved of me. I shall never drift away from them until I am laid to rest where nothing can vex me more, and where unfortunately I cannot serve them any longer. I am quite feeble and do not seem to gather strength from this strong fresh air. This is a peculiar place and nearly everyone comes here sooner or later for recuperation or recreation of some kind. The hotels are ideally comfortable, and many of the happy crowd seem to find here all they need. I am soon to have my two boys down from Princeton and Lawrencevile to enjoy their holidays as my daughter Mrs. J.A. Hayes lives in Colorado Springs, too far for Jefferson Hayes Davis, her eldest son, or William Davis, her second son to visit her during their short Easter vacation. I wish you were nearer to me than you are, to a lame old woman Little Rock seems very far off. I wonder if you have the ‘Book Lovers Library’ in Little Rock. The books from it wile away many a weary days for me since I am no longer able to walk much in God’s sunshine or partake of such pleasures as involve fatigue or much exertion. I shall be delighted to get another book of your sweet songs. The one I have is precious to me. Thanking you for the precious words you have uttered to me I am gratefully and faithfully Your friend Varina Jefferson Davis”. The letter is accompanied by the original mailing envelope in her handwriting.