Lot 136

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Description:

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. Draft A.L. as President, 1p. 4to., [n.p., nd.]. "I have received your favor of the ___ & sincerely sympathize with you re the condition of your health. When I first assumed the duties of President I determined not to interfere with the appointments made by the collectors of different Ports & to this resolution I have constantly adhered. I could not hold them responsible for the discharge of their important duties, if I were to dictate to them their subordinate agents. Besides, the lack of making selections for them to occupy so much of my time as to prevent me from attending to my own appropriate duties . I therefore sincerely regret that I cannot interfere in your behalf..." On the verso appears the beginning of another draft, this one in pencil on the same subject, but much more direct: "I regret my inability to comply with y[ou]r request having always left to the heads of the different Ex Depts to decide whom they will employ in their respective offices" Loss at bottom right not affecting text, folds, light soiling, else very good.

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March 30, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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