To President Taylor Just Months Before His Death
TAYLOR, ZACHARY
[Zachary Taylor] 1850. Pennsylvania. 4pp. ALS from a Dr. A. D. Chaloner of Philadelphia written just months prior to Taylor’s death. “Philad. City Feb 15, 1850 Dear Sir, Soon another Anniversary of Buena Vista will be here, and as on that day, your voice encouraged your countrymen to daring deeds-may not those who in the political campaign sustained you be remembered? One who first battled in the whirl of politics to place you at our Country’s helm, as now his efforts may even now be rewarded. Respectfully, A.D. Chaloner, MD Respectfully, Yr. Obt Sert, Genl Z. Taylor Prest. U States Washington, DC.” A docketed notation on the verso states; “Philadelphia Feb 15, 1850 A.D. Chaloner Reminds the P. of himself.” Our research has found that a Doctor A.D. Chaloner, MD in Phil. wrote an article in 1849 in the Philadelphia Ledger on “TREATMENT OF CHOLERA” which is what is now thought to be a possible cause of Taylor’s death. Fold Marks. Fine.
Catalog: # AM-0914
|
|
Union Brevet Brigadier General Frederick Townsend
Frederick Townsend (1825 – 1897). Union Brevet Brigadier General during the Civil War. Founded the 3rd New York Infantry. Document signed. 1 page. Albany. July 5, 1859. Certificate for claimant for audited and revised claim of Thomas Southard, Hempstead for continuing claims related to the War of 1812. Signed by Townsend while serving as Adjutant General of New York. Excellent condition.
Catalog: # AM-3616
|
|
US Ambassador To Berlin During WWI – James Watson Gerard “On Account Of The Possible Trouble Here With Japan…”
JAMES WATSON GERARD (1867-1951) U.S. lawyer and diplomat. Appointed to the NY Supreme Court in 1908. Under President Woodrow Wilson he served as the American Ambassador to Germany from 1913 to 1917. On the declaration of war by the United States, he was recalled from his post of minister at Berlin and took up the practice of law in New York City. Autograph Letter Signed. August 18th 1916. 2pp. On “Embassy of the United States of America” letterhead. To Walter H. Page and Henry Van Dyke: “My dear Colleague: This is to introduce Dr. Jose Legaspi, He is a Filipino, studying in Berlin – On account of the possible trouble here with Japan – and the fact that to a strange people he might look rather Japanese, I sent him out of Berlin. Please help him. Communicate with his father etc. & help him if necessary. …J.W. Gerard.” On verso he writes again: “Dear Colleague, Mr. Legaspi has just brought this note to me. Our instructions are to forward the return of all such cases to America via England. I therefore send, and commend Mr. Legaspi to your kind care…” Gerard’s views of Imperial Germany at this time fit neatly into an age which historian Merle Curti characterized as “a struggle between darkness and light, barbarism and civilization.” Gerard gained particular notoriety for a speech given in 1917. During the course of his speech he feared for the possibility of up to half a million German- Americans rising up and wreaking havoc within the U.S. once General Pershing’s American Expeditionary Force (AEF) took part in its first major offensive against the German enemy. His solution was startlingly simple: to hang German-Americans from lamp posts. Unsurprisingly Gerard was unsuccessful in his bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1920.
Catalog: # AM-1655
|
|
Virginia Congressman and Commander of the State Militia
Francis Preston (1765 – 1836). General. During the War of 1812 he commanded a regiment of Virginia troops. He commanded the Virginia state militia after the war and served as a congressman for two terms. ALS. Two pages, 7 1/2” x 9 1/4”. Salt Works. November 28,1797..” Preston writes to Col. Dana Henly of Knoxville, Tennessee, in part: “ … I gave you fifteen bushels of salt by a Mr. Shaddon intended more for you own private use than as it respected a supply to the public store for then I thought I could not procure wagons to carry the quantity intended … I must take this liberty to request you to have such a place made in the cellar as will contain about 300 bus the expenses of which I will cheerfully pay and that you will be so good as to keep the key until called for … ” Addressed on integral leaf. Usual folds. Slight paper loss at wax seal on address leaf. Overall Very Fine.
Catalog: # AM-1504
|
|
W.B. Pierce Applies To Be A Naval Surgeon For The Union During The Civil War
Application submitted to the Examining Board of Naval Surgeons as Assistant Surgeon. 5 pages. June 5, 1864. Pierce provides answers to 8 questions. He was asked to “Describe the intestines large & small” and “Describe the physical qualities of hydrogen gas”. Fine, detailed medical content.
Catalog: # AM-1083
|
|
W.K. Rogers Private Secretary To The President.
W.K. Rogers: Private Secretary to Rutherford B. Hayes. Autograph Page Signed “W.K. Rogers, Private Secretary to the President.” 6 ½ “x 8”. Fine.
Catalog: # AM-0115
|
|
Wadsworth A. Ward Applies To Be A Naval Surgeon For The Union During The Civil War
Application submitted to the Naval Examining Board for a position as Assistant Surgeon. 5 pages. December 4, 1861. Ward provides detailed answers to questions to 8 questions including subjects such as “the anatomy of the parts concerned in Tracheotomy” and “the functions of the kidneys.” Nice, detailed medical content.
Catalog: # AM-1074
|
|
Wealthy Quaker Merchant John Shallcross Finds Himself In Debt To A Business Associate
JOHN SHALLCROSS Wealthy Quaker landowner and merchant. Autograph Letter Signed, “John Shallcross.” One page, 7” x 9 ¼”. Wilmington. November 2, 1786. Shallcross writes to James Knowles: “Sir On making out your amounts I find myself in your debt twenty odd pounds, which I will pay to your ordr Mr. T. Greg when he calls. I wrote him & beg that he would call on me before he went you which I expect he will … My compts to Bennett … your obt. Servt. John Shallcross”
Catalog: # AM-1725
|
|
While Secretary of State, Future President Martin Van Buren Writes To President Andrew Jackson Concerning Claims By General Peter Buell Porter
Martin Van Buren (1837 – 1841). 8th President of the United States. ALS. 4 pages. 8” x 9 ¾”. Washington September 28, 1829. To President Andrew Jackson; “I have this moment received your note in relation to Genl Porter’s accounts. I will hereafter, if it is deemed necessary make a formal opinion upon the subject and will therefore content myself, for the present with a brief sketch of my views in the matter. I am not satisfied by General Porter’s statement that the law in question is unconstitutional. I dissent from the opinion expressed by him that he is entitled to the larger salary, after the expiration of the two years. The object of the act of 1821 was, and its language is sufficient to affect it, to prohibit thereafter any further, or other allowances that which was provided by it, and the only consequence of the continuance of the beyond the two years, and to extend the act, could be, that for the of the time, the commissioner is left to his application to congress for further allowance. Much stress is laid by Genl Porter, on the situation of Gov Van Ness, his acts, and those of the Government in regard to his claims. I would therefore suggest the propriety of it being stated by Mr. Anderson in his letter to Genl Porter, in which he communicates the opinion of the President; that Mr Van Ness was informed, that his was not a case of fact a character as to permit the Government, with propriety, to enter into an amicable : Mr Van Ness had consented to waive his claims, and have his accounts set according to the law of 1821, and that Genl Porter consents to the same course, the Government must accept such as an its power to effect that result. This appears to be related to claims for compensation by General Peter Buell Porter. Couple of small edge chinks. Fine. Catalog: # AM-3420
|
|
|
