Beschreibung:

5 items. This lot features two letters with strong content from John Tyler as President to his neighbor and political opponent, Robert Anderson of Williamsburg, Virginia. The first letter, dated May 2, 1838, provides evidence of their political antipathy. Anderson wrote Tyler notifying him that he would be filing papers with the legislature, asking that they void Tyler’s election to the Assembly for not meeting residency requirements. (Tyler had moved to Williamsburg only a few months before.) The legislature not only upheld Tyler’s election, they voted him Speaker. In the next letter, dated October 25, 1843, Anderson wrote that he had hoped to get Tyler’s autograph at a memorial dedication in Yorktown that Tyler did not attend. As it would be ungentlemanly to ask for an autograph, he explains his plan to Tyler in the letter: Anderson owes newspaper subscriptions to two newspapers. He reminds Tyler that he had given wagon parts to Tyler’s foreman three years ago (Tyler and Anderson were neighbors) but had never been compensated. So, he asks Tyler to pay the newspaper subscriptions, and send him a signed receipt, thereby gaining Tyler’s signature. Tyler replied in a signed letter from the White House dated February 26, 1844, two days before the USS Princeton disaster. Tyler was dealing with the possible annexation of Texas as well as the Oregon “Fifty Four Forty or Fight!” border dispute, which had a very real chance of turning into a war with Britain: The arrival of Sir Richard Pakenham [new ambassador from Britain] has produced some little stir among us - no communications have yet passed between us and him, and therefore I cannot say what are the extent of his powers in regard to the Oregon. If he comes with full powers and brings along with him the actual spirit of peace, I shall rejoice, and shall not be turned out of my way in the negotiation by the fire-eaters of the two powers. Peace should be the great desire of the country provided it can be preserved on honorable terms. We are rapidly repairing the errors of the past in our domestic policy and I am most happy to believe that the country is rising up from the paralysis of 1840 with the strength and power of a young giantess. (talks about great customs receipts) With credit restored, commerce revived, and peace preserved, I trust that a year more will present to us all a smiling and happy land..... The postal front to this letter, with Tyler’s frank, is included. The disaster on the USS Princeton on February 28, 1844, was perhaps the largest political tragedy to befall a president before the Civil War. The Princeton was armed with the largest naval cannon in the world. At a gathering on the ship of over 400 of the Washington political elite, including President Tyler and his entire Cabinet, the cannon exploded during an exhibition fire, killing Secretary of State Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Gilmer, as well as the father of Tyler’s fiancee and three others, wounding 20. Tyler had paused below deck, and was protected when the gun exploded. The last letter, with integral cover, from Tyler is dated March 5, 1844: Dr Sir: / When I last wrote you I had mislaid the rect for your subscription to the Madisonian - It is now sent. / We are slowly recovering from the effects of the terrible occurrence on board the Princeton. Is not this a marked administration - marked even in its mourning- / Take my best wishes for your health and happiness / John Tyler The letter retains the intact person seal of Tyler, made of black wax for mourning.