Beschreibung:

HARRISON, WILLIAM HENRY President . Autograph endoresement AS PRESIDENT, n.p. [Washington, D.C.], ca. 31 March 1841, comprising five lines on a cover sheet of a letter to Harrison from William M.K. Lambdin, Wheeling, Virginia, 17 March 1841. 2 pages, 4to. [ with ] Address leaf (detached from letter) addressed to "Gen. W.H. Harrison President of the U.S.," marked in red ink "free," red circular "Wheeling Va." datestamp, small seal hole . AN AUTOGRAPH ENDORSEMENT AS PRESIDENT, LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE HARRISON'S DEATH Harrison's endorsement, boldly written across the address panel of the cover sheet, reads: "Wm. Lambdin wants a commission in the Army or Navy for his brother Oliver Spencer Lambdin." On the flap in a secretary's hand is the date the letter was answered: March 31, 1841. Lambdin's letter gives a detailed account of his brother's service at sea and in the army, and expresses the hope that, since "there is now some prospect of usefulness under your administration, my brother respectfully desires you to give him a commission..." He adds, on behalf of his father, "congratulations upon your auspicious entry upon the duties of the Chief Magistracy of our beloved Country....Prayers will not be withheld for the success of the measures of your administration...." Harrison, at age 68 the oldest President before Ronald Reagan to be inaugurated, had been ill since his inauguration on March 4. In the next few weeks, he was besieged with office-seekers. Less than a week after the present letter was answered, Harrison died, on April 4. Only one Presidential frank of Harrison is known. (2)