Description:

Franklin Pierce
Concord, NH, December 3, 1846
Franklin Pierce Autograph Letter Re: Water Rights, 1846, With Initialed Address Leaf
ALS
A fine content autograph letter signed "Frank. Pierce", Concord, NH, December 3, 1846. On blue lined integral address leaf letterhead notepaper to Samuel Lawson, Esq., in Lowell, Massachusetts. Addressed in his hand on verso, and initialed at lower left corner: "Box 91 F.P.". Inlaid into a slightly larger cream sheet and in fine condition. This letter was offered by Sotheby's in 2016 with an estimate of $2,000-3,000. 1p., 7.5" x 9.5". Expected folds and toning commensurate with age.

Pierce expresses hesitation in taking up a legal case, in part: "…An application has been made to me to act as counsel for interests supposed to be in conflict with yours connected with the use of waters of the Winnipesaukee Lake town, and of the Pemigewasset and Merrimack rivers - I suppose my engagements terminated with services before the Legislation, while the act of July 10, '46, in relation to which I had and interview with yourself, & others at Boston, was pending. This is my understanding of the matter and I suppose I might properly have given an answer without any hesitation, to my proposed clients, but to provide against any possible misapprehension I have thought it best first to address you…".

At the time of this letter, Pierce was appointed by James K. Polk as Federal District Attorney for New Hampshire, his home state, where he actively participated in state political affairs and continued to oppose the abolitionist movement. Two months later, in February 1847, he would be appointed Colonel of the 9th Infantry and fight in the Mexican-American War, fulfilling his lifelong dream of a military career.

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) was the 14th president of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857. A northern Democrat who believed that the abolitionist movement was a fundamental threat to the nation's unity, he alienated anti-slavery groups by signing the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 and enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act. Conflict between North and South continued after Pierce's presidency, and, after Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, the Southern states seceded, resulting in the American Civil War.

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: 7.5" x 9.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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