Description:

James Buchanan
Lancaster, PA, November 17, 1851
Buchanan Envisions His Cabinet Before Losing Presidential Nomination, One of the Best of His We Have Seen!
ALS
James Buchanan (1791-1868). Autograph Letter Signed, "James Buchanan", 2pp, on pale blue watermarked bifold stationery, 8" x 9.875", Wheatland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1851. Expected folds and creases, with the tiniest bit of loss at fold intersections. Light isolated toning. Very minor edge wear. In fine condition and boldly signed.

Buchanan writes to Isaac G. McKinley, editor of the Harrisburg "Democratic Union", describing his preferences for a presidential cabinet. In full: "Many thanks for your kind letter of the 15th Inst. I am not sufficiently well acquainted with Mr. Wallace to say whether he would be the proper person to succeed John P. Anderson. Certain it is that if he has ever been an active friend of mine, I do not know it. A new appointment, I presume, will not be made until January, although Anderson ought to be removed immediately; & in the mean time, our friends can consider of the matter.

I should be entirely content with any of the persons whom you have named as Secretary of State, & I would add to the list William Hopkins of Washington Cessna & Mather. I fear the appointment of Judge Woodward. This would be to give the administration an anti-Buchanan tendency at the commencement & would so be heralded throughout the Country. I have never known a man of his talents & acquirements so deficient in political judgment. Whenever an alternative has been presented to him he has always chosen the wrong course. He proclaimed himself a Cass man, just about the time every sagacious man in the Country knew that Cass was out of the question. When he left my house after the Senatorial election I believed him to be my friend. He well knows that I did not oppose his confirmation in the Senate. Neither did I oppose Horn nor Beaumont. For the latter I excused myself on the President's request & he would have been confirmed but for his own violence & folly. It would have been a violation both of propriety & official duty for me as Secretary of State to have opposed any nomination of the President in the Senate.

Campbell has rare merits as a man & a politician. Should Bigler not provide for him, we shall perhaps be beaten at the October election. He would be satisfied with the appointment of Attorney General & for this appointment I have recommended him strongly. Frank Hughes is out for this office. Two of his friends have written to me & I have replied that if I had a brother who was a competitor for it against Campbell, under existing circumstances I should go for Campbell.

Campbell would make an excellent Secretary of State; & if I know the man, he would be the most influential & popular Secretary before the end of the Session we have had in Pennsylvania for many years.

I do not receive many Southern papers, I shall send you the slips, though all my private letters are numerous & speak the same language. I had a highly satisfactory letter from Governor Toucey yesterday as to Connecticut & the Eastern States. Indeed every appearance is now favorable. I intend to visit Harrisburg some day this week where I shall hope to see you."

Beginning in 1844, Buchanan became a regular contender for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. At the 1852 Democratic National Convention, he won the support of many southern delegates but failed to win the two-thirds support needed for the presidential nomination, which went to Franklin Pierce. Buchanan was nominated and won the 1856 election, becoming the 15th president of the United States.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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    Dimensions:
  • 8" x 9.875"
  • Artist Name:
  • James Buchanan
  • Medium:
  • ALS

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