Description:

CONSUL TO TUNIS JOHN HOWARD PAYNE ASKS FOR A LOAN TO RETURN TO AMERICA
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE (1791-1852) American actor, poet, playwright, and author, and also American Consul to Tunis, where he served for nearly ten years until his death. Good content A.L.S., 4pp. 8vo., Paris, Sep. 11, 1846, to C.M. Westmacott. Marking the letter "Confidential" at top, Payne writes to his friend to request financial help returning home from North Africa, where he has just been replaced as consul. In part: "... I find myself constrained to ask a favor from you, as an old brother sailor who has seen hard weather with me years ago, but who has escaped to a sunny shore, while I am once more aground. I think I told you I had made advances to the extent of nearly all my immediate means, for the repairs of my Consular abode at Tunis; and that these were left behind me unsettled, when the new administration put a person of its own politicks in my place ... I do not know, even that I may not be compelled to petition congress to force the Moorish chief to refund my outlay on his account ... This state of things - and the misfortune of having missed Washington Irving (the only American friend upon whom I could rely in this emergency), when he shot through here on his way back to America, has reduced me to bitter straits. A loan of sixty pounds for four months would extricate me ... I pledge my honor that the return shall be made punctually and with five per cent interest..." Payne signs boldly at the conclusion. He would later be reinstated to his office in Tunis, dying there in 1852. The letter shows original mailing folds with slight soiling, else very good.

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May 14, 2018 1:00 PM EDT
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