Description:

Taylor, Zachary (1784-1850) Extremely rare Zachary Taylor Autograph Letter Signed as President!

Autograph Letter Signed, "Z. Taylor," as President, 1 page, 7.25" x 9.5", Washington, January 8, [1850] to "Mr. F.W. Roberts." Docketed on verso in an unknown hand, "Genl Taylor's Letter," Mild uneven toning, light folds, else fine.

Taylor writes in full: "Your letter of the 5th is at hand - accept my most sincere thanks for your kindness and the trouble you have taken in procuring the articles they are far beyond my expectations. I would like to procure as many more, on the same terms. I will use every exertion in my power to fulfill my part of the agreement as soon as possible. When the consignment arrives please write me that I may have it forwarded. With high respect and esteem..."

Although Taylor did not include the year on the dateline, we are 100% certain that the letter had to have been accomplished during his short tenure in the White House. The only other period of time we can place Taylor in Washington D.C. for any extended period of time was from October 1826 to January 1827, when still serving as a lieutenant colonel - observe that the docket reads, "Gen[eral] Taylor" (Bauer, Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest, 1993, 45-46). Also, his handwriting in this period was very different. Following his election as President in 1848, Taylor did not arrive in Washington until February 23, 1849 (Daily Union, Washington, Feb. 24, 1849, 3). Thus the only period in time that he could have written this letter would have been the following year (1850).

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