Lot 285
James Buchanan (1791-1868), 15th President of the U.S. (1857-1861), U.S. Congressman (1821-1831) and Senator (1834-1835) from Pennsylvania, Minister to Russia (1832-1834), Secretary of State under Polk (1845-1849). Autograph Letter Signed as President, one page, 8 x 9¾ Washington, March 6, 1857. To "Hon. J.S. Black", Buchanan offers the post of Attorney General to his old friend from Pennsylvania, in full:
"I have this moment signed your Commission as Attorney General of the United States," Buchanan writes, "& have done this with great pleasure. I hope you may find it agreeable to yourself to accept this important office; & I entertain no doubt, that we shall get on harmoniously & happily together. There were certainly great difficulties in the way of your appointment; & Mr. J. Glancy Jones [Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania] has behaved very well in contributing to this result. I may also add that Governor [Williams] Bigler [formerly governor of Pennsylvania, but at this date, U.S. Senator] is quite satisfied with it & venture to express the hope that any past difficulties between you & himself may pass away & be forgotten. We must be a unit here if possible. I hope you will come to Washington immediately. In the mean time believe me to be always very respectfully your friend, James Buchanan"
Expertly cleaned and deacidified with some archival reinforcing of a tear at the lower right and horizontal folds, some soiling and small triangular cutouts at right blank margin and at bottom, slightly affecting one word of text. Overall, Very Good condition.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
A SPLENDID LETTER WRITTEN ONLY TWO DAYS AFTER BUCHANAN’S INAUGURATION.
Jeremiah Sullivan Black (1810-1883) accepted the appointment and served as Buchanan’s Attorney General until the end of 1860 when Buchanan appointed him Secretary of State.
|
| |
| Realized $2,300 |
