Van Buren, Martin

14 pages (12 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 323 x 197 mm; one leaf trimmed and shorter) written on 11 leaves of blue machine-laid paper (watermarked magnay & bennett patent 1853), all leaves written on the recto in ink, one written also on the verso in ink, and two written also on the verso in pencil, paginated by Van Buren 374–375, 383—388, 397, 399–400, with numerous deletions and emendations; a few minor scattered stains and ink blots. Inlaid to larger sheets and housed in a maroon cloth portfolio.

George D. Smith (Anderson, 14 March 1921, lot 395)

14 pages (12 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 323 x 197 mm; one leaf trimmed and shorter) written on 11 leaves of blue machine-laid paper (watermarked magnay & bennett patent 1853), all leaves written on the recto in ink, one written also on the verso in ink, and two written also on the verso in pencil, paginated by Van Buren 374–375, 383—388, 397, 399–400; a few minor scattered stains and ink blots. Inlaid into larger sheets and housed in a maroon cloth portfolio.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A warm reminiscence of the sixth President, by the eighth: "John Quincy Adams was as honest & incorruptible as his father. He was equally bold and fearless in the avowal and maintenance of his opinions, & in his feelings, & habits more Democratic." 

Removed from the presidency by more than a decade, Martin Van Buren began writing his autobiography at Villa Falangola in Sorrento, Italy, on 21 June 1854: "At the age of seventy one, and in a foreign land, I commence a sketch of the principal events of my life, …a true and frank account of the rise and progress of one, who, without the aid of powerful family connexions, and with but few of the adventitious facilities for the acquisition of political power had been elevated by his Countrymen to a succession of official trusts, not exceeded, perhaps, either in number, in dignity or in responsibility by any that have ever been committed to the hands of one man—consisting of the respective offices of Surrogate of his County, State Senator, Attorney General of the State of New York, Regent of the University, Member of a Convention to revise the Constitution of the State, Governor of the State, Senator in Congress for two terms, Secretary of State of the United States, Minister to England, Vice President, and President of the United States" ("The Autobiography of Martin Van Buren, ed., John C. Fitzpatrick, in Annual Report of the American Historical Association for 1918).

Smith Thompson Van Buren, the son and literary executor of the President, made a fair manuscript copy of the autobiography from his father's original autograph draft. Extending to seven folio volumes totaling 1247 pages, this manuscript was presented to the Library of Congress by Mrs. Smith Thompson Van Buren in 1905. Van Buren's holograph was evidently dispersed or discarded, although at least a portion of it was seen in, or prior to 1902, when Adrian H. Joline described it in "Meditations of an Autograph-Collector," published in Harper's May issue of that year. The section of the manuscript offered here is a kind portrait of John Quincy Adams, a former political rival of Martin Van Buren; the first two paragraphs convey its tone and character:

"John Quincy Adams was as honest & incorruptible as his father. He was equally bold and fearless in the avowal and maintenance of his opinions, & in his feelings, & habits more Democratic. In respect to the unaffected simplicity of his manners & the slight value he placed upon the pride & pomp of office, he did not fall behind any of our Democratic presidents, not excepting Mr. Jefferson, who, it will be remembered by a few, so outraged the sensibilities of the sticklers for official dignity by wearing red breeches & tying his horse to a peg, when he had occasion to visit the Capitol.

"Brought up, as was at that day the universal custom, & is still too much the case, in the belief that there could be nothing good in our opponents, I entered public life with strong prejudices against Mr. Adams. Although I had not the good fortune to be in power with the administration, or to be partially regarded by himself whilst he was the head of Mr. Monroe's cabinet, and was ranked among opponents of his own administration, from first to last, my respect for his character as a straightforward, well meaning man, lasted from my first acquaintance with him in my Senatorial capacity till the close of his life."