Description:

ANDREW JOHNSON
(1808-1875) Seventeenth President of the United States who came to office following the death of Abraham Lincoln. A squabble with Stanton along with his Reconstruction policies led to an impeachment by Congress. Superb political content A.L.S. 'Andrew Johnson' as Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 1st district, 8pp. 4to., Washington, Feb. 9, 1851, to Major Samuel Milligan and marked 'Confidential' at the top of the first page. Samuel Milligan (1814-1874) would later be promoted to general, and serve as justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. He was a close friend and confidant of Johnson, and worked tirelessly on Johnson's early campaigns. In this letter, Johnson fiercely attacks Landon Carter Haynes (1816-1875) who was seeking to capture Johnson's House seat. Johnson writes, in part: '...There is nothing that Mr. Haynes and the clique he is connected with can't do that would surprise me in the slightest degree for I consider them capable of condescending to any kind of means that would enable them to attain their end...a large majority of the democrats are decidedly for me...Col. Moore wrote to me on business and alluded to politics...[I replied] much of which was not very flattering Mr. Haynes...I told Col. M that I desired to be a candidate again, that I wished to occupy my present position till after the next presidential election...[and] that I had no disposition to set up and run...and subject myself to defeat and a loss of the little reputation I have been trying so long to make - that I intended to make no rash step...his opinion heretofore would have much influence on my future course...If Col. M. has been making any impression on the public mind not authorised in the letter I will have the whole of it published...From letters I have received from Hawkins Co. from whigs as well as democrats he [Haynes] can be beat to death in that co[unty]....there is one thing certain, whigs shall never use me, but if they have votes to throw away on some one they had[?] as well be picked up by me...' He criticized Haynes for his lack of attention to a railroad project, noting: '...I am for the road as you well know...upon proper principles, and for the means to make it...it is best to let it alone unless it is pushed upon me...on the subject of being announced as a candidate you are authorized to do so at any time you think it most prudent...if it becomes necessary to set up a convention I desire time to canvass the district before...in no event can my name be brought in conflict with that of Gov. [William] Trousdale before a convention...Milligan, now is the time to dispose of this fellow if it is done now in the proper manner he will be out of the way hereafter...I desire the district to be rid of him...He is not entitled to the confidence of the people, the honor of the station, or the immoluments [sic] of the office. I neither care for him nor [?] him in any way, mentally of physically...I can beat him easily and am more than willing to try it...Sam, stand by me in this contest and it may come round that I can pay up the new and the old...' Boldly penned and signed. An archival repair to one fold in a blank area, mounting remnants in far margins, else fine condition. In custom slipcase with gilt title and leather trim. In 1851, a sizable faction of the Democratic Party, angry with the policies of incumbent 1st district congressman Andrew Johnson, convinced Haynes to run against him in the general election (the Whig Party opted not to field a candidate). In what would prove to be one of Johnson's toughest campaigns, the Haynes and Johnson canvassed the district together, engaging in fierce debates in front of large crowds. Haynes criticized Johnson's support for the Homestead Bill, arguing it was an abolitionist measure, and accused Johnson of having opposed railroad construction and supporting Whig candidates. Johnson noted that Haynes had voted for Whig Governor Newton Cannon in 1839, and pointed out that Haynes had been expelled from the Methodist ministry. Johnson won the election by just over 1,600 votes. Up to and during the Civil War, Haynes was a staunch supporter of the Confederacy and was elected to the Confederate Senate. At war's end, Haynes was granted amnesty by his old congressional opponent, who was now president. Regardless, he was arrested as a traitor in Tennessee and appealed to Johnson for a second pardon. Despite Johnson's hatred of Haynes years earlier, within four days his old adversary had a new pardon in hand.

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June 16, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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