Letter from Rees Fitzpatrick to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; November 15, 1860

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Letter from Rees Fitzpatrick to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; November 15, 1860

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Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Fitzpatrick, Rees Quitman, John Anthony, 1798-1858 Van Dorn, Earl, 1820-1863

Events

Wars and Military Conflicts--Mexican War, 1846-1848

Military Units

United States. Army

Organizations

Mississippi--Legislature United States--Congress

Places

Mississippi--Adams County. Natchez New York South Carolina Syria--Damascus

Page 1

Natchez 15 Nov 1860

To His Excellency:

Governor: I am in receipt of your letter respecting the manufacture of a Sword for Maj. Vandorn to cost Three or Four Hundred Dollars,

In reply I would respectfully state that I was entrusted with a similar commission by the Citizens of Natchez to make a Sword of Honor for General Quitman on his return from his Mexican triumphs, at an expense of $500. It was with me a labor of love, and I put nearly the entire amount into the material—the fine Damascus blade and the massive gold alone costing more than $300. The jewell at the end of the hilt and the etchings of inscriptions and battle scenes both on the blade and scabbard were all expensive. It was my good fortune to give unbounded satisfaction both to the donors and the gallant receiver. Officers of high rank in the U.S. Army who have seen it have given it a marked preference over the Swords which were presented to Gen. Quitman by the States of South Carolina, by Congress and the State of New York the latter costing Fourteen Hundred dollars.

I retain all the dies, stamps and patterns of the Quitman Sword, and thus could make a handsome saving by not having to make new ones. I could also make a saving in not using such thick

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and massive gold as I did in Quitman's, and could make it as servicable and look as well at an expense of $400, the highest sum you mentioned. I could have it finished and delivered to your Excellency during the first week in January next.

It would be necessary to furnish me the Inscriptions for engraving on the blade and scabbard as well as the designs or scenes for Etching.

I will do the work well and artistically knowing as I do that it will be subject to the scrutiny of members of the Legislature and good judges of such work. If I can find the faithful descriptions of the Quitman Sword which were published in the Journals here at that time among their old files I will send your Excellency a copy of the same either enclosed or by next mail:

And respectfully remain
ever your obliged friend
R. Fitzpatrick

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Fitzpatrick sword for Maj VanD orn

R Fitzpatrick