Description:

JOHN TYLER
(1790 - 1862) Tenth President of the United States following the death of Harrison, annexed Texas, and remained loyal to Virginia following its secession. A.L.S., 2pp., 4to., Sherwood Forest, Oct. 27, 1848, a reply letter to his son Robert remarking on the Election of 1848. Tyler's letter is wide-ranging, capturing his impression of all the major candidates and his own position on the Free Soil movement, politicking on the platform of keeping slavery out of the western territories. Tyler begins his letter opining Whig candidate and war hero's Zachary Taylor's probable victory: "...If Pennsylvania and Ohio go for Taylor he is elected beyond a doubt, but... you may be disappointed if the barnburners adhere to Van Buren, and if they voted for Johnson in the last election - I feel confident that all depends on that..." Tyler continues by discussing an interaction with James Buchanan: "...the last mail brought me a letter from Buchanan expressive of great regret that any indignity should have been offered me from his office..." Finally, Tyler concludes by mentioning the Free Soil Party and their candidate, Martin Van Buren: "...I have received an earnest request from the Democracy of Norfolk asking me to address a mass meeting today-- I have declined in a written response-- giving a shot at Van Buren and defined my position on the Free Soil question... " He closes offering news of his plantings and their family. Boldly signed, "J Tyler", with integral franked address leaf. Fine. Both of the major parties hoped to avoid the slavery issue's divisiveness in 1848. Since President Polk refused to consider a second term, the Democrats turned to Lewis Cass of Michigan, a rather colorless party loyalist. The Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor, who had no political experience and had never voted. The election picture was clouded by the presence of two other parties. The Liberty Party, which had run with some success on an anti-slavery platform in 1844, tried again in 1848, but lost its issue to a stronger challenger. The Free-Soil Party nominated former president Martin Van Buren, who garnered nearly 300,000 votes-more than enough to deny victory to Cass and the Democrats. Tyler had good reason to take a shot at Van Buren - the Free Soilers opposed slavery in the new territories, while Tyler was a die-hard pro-slavery advocate.

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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