Federal Period
President James Madison Receives a Manuscript Poem Sent as An "Apology for the Introduction of Yesterday" from "F"
c. 1809 Federal Period, Manuscript Poem Apologizing to President James Madison for an Introduction of the Day Before, Referring to "Freedom's Natal Day" - (July 4th, 1776), Choice Fine.
Original Manuscript Poem with Integral Addressed Leaf on verso reading: "To His Excellency The President of the United States", and beautifully Handwritten Poem titled: "Apology for the Introduction of Yesterday". This highly unusual undated Poem is boldly written by its unknown author, and is easily readable on 1 page, measuring 9-3/4" x 7-3/4", no date or place, and simply Signed, "F". Two small fold tear holes affect two words of text, edge war at bottom, reinforced with a short piece of clear tape on the verso. Refers to "Freedom's Natal Day", likely a reference to the Fourth of July, and to the "Great Chief" (President Madison) being Freedom's friend.
This unusual form of an apparent Apology to President Madison (Not signed by Madison) that reads, in full:
"How poor? how rich? how abject? how august?
How complicate? - how wonderful is man?
How passing wonder He, who made him such! Young.
If Fancy move the Poet's tongue,
In futile, or in useful song,
She much doth Fashion more,
As gems deep hid in grossest clay,
The Lapidary doth display,
'Twas Fancy bade explore.
So, if on Freedom's natal day,
Untimely should the Muses' pay,
Their rev'rence to her Friend
Great Chief, excuse! humanely so,
Such midnight thoughts again may flow,
To 'meliorate or, amend. - (Signed) F".
Provenance: From the James Madison papers offered for sale in 1894 by Edward Boker Sterling (1851-1925), a stamp, coin and autograph dealer of Trenton, NJ.