Lot 1143: IRVING, WASHINGTON. 1783-1859.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Washington Irving"), 1 p, 4to, Sunnyside, December 2, 1851, to J. Bingham, regarding Henry Schoolcraft Rowe's accusation that he had accepted money to write Astoria, light creasing and toning, otherwise fine.

In 1851 Irving published a letter refuting an accusation from explorer and historian Henry Schoolcraft Rowe that he had accepted $5,000 from John Jacob Astor to write Astoria, the history of Astor's settlement on the Columbia River. In this letter her refers to that event: "I consider the erroneous statement which that gentleman unconsciously made, a fortunate circumstance, as it gave me occasion to vindicate myself from the sordid motives, to which some, who did not know me, appear to have attributed my intimacy with the late Mr. Astor."