[ Autographs ] JAMES BUCHANAN (1791 - 1868) Fifteenth President of the United States whose hands-off attitude toward states' rights directly contributed to the start of the Civil War. A.L.S. "James Buchanan" as Senator, 1p. 4to., Washington, Feb. 20, 1837 to Henry Slaganher concerning a government contract. In part: "...the Postmaster General has promised you a hearing & that you shall receivenotice of the time. I regret to say I can give you but little encouragement. His decisions, so far as I know, are always against thecontractors. Several of them have appealed to Congress, and I fear youwill be placed under this necessity..." Very good to fine condition.