October 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, October 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2012
Martin Van Buren autograph letter signed, dated 3 October 1855 from Lindenwald, his home in New York, and with additional free frank signed. Van Buren replies to fellow New York Democrat Edward G.W. Butler who urged Van Buren to come out of retirement to help settle the divisive slavery question. Van Buren, President from 1837-1841, lost re-election but ran again as the anti-slavery Free Soil candidate in 1848. Upon his defeat, he retired to Lindenwald. Van Buren's letter reads in part, ''...I regret...the present inauspicious condition of the country, upon the slave subject...I...know, by repeated experience how potent the influence which the united Democracy of New York may be made to exercise healing public disorders...& am sincerely friendly to the restoration of harmony to its ranks. In regard to State affairs, that result is being brought about...but, in regard to Federal politics, the task is far more difficult; &, I fear, far beyond the power of my individual efforts of any man...'' He signs, ''M. Van Buren''. Letter measures 8.25'' x 10.5''. Minor creasing and tearing to edges of three page letter with minor loss of text. Some words traced over in unknown hand. Accompanying hand addressed envelope bears free franking signature, ''Free / M. Van Buren''. Overall in very good condition.
Declining to Forgo Retirement to Heal Divisiveness on Slavery, Martin Van Buren Writes in 1855: ''I regret...the present inauspicious condition of the country, upon the slave subject.''
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