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James Buchanan ALS A. Jackson and Polk Superb Content 5 pp!
James Buchanan ALS A. Jackson and Polk Superb Content 5 pp!
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Description:

James Buchanan
Lancaster, PA, May 28, 1851
James Buchanan ALS A. Jackson and Polk Superb Content 5 pp!
ALS
A autograph letter signed by future President James Buchanan with superb content and association, Lancaster, PA, May 28, 1851. Five pages, 8" x 9.5". Reinforcing strip at left edge of two pages, otherwise very good condition.

Buchanan writes to Pennsylvania Representative Jacob Senewell Yost about his strained relationship with Colonel Reah Frazer, a once-close associate who had grown hostile over perceived political disappointments. The letter discusses Buchanan's efforts to secure political appointments for Fraser's family members during his tenure as Secretary of State under James K. Polk, including attempted appointments for Fraser's father-in-law, John Steele, as Collector of the Port of Philadelphia, and his brother-in-law, John F. Steele, for a prestigious role as a Navy purser.

Buchanan's commentary offers a rare insight into the political dynamics of the mid-19th century, highlighting the intense competition for government positions and the personal expectations attached to political influence. Buchanan describes how Fraser's support became ineffective, even detrimental, due to timing issues, leading Fraser to harbor a "bitter hostility" toward Buchanan—a hostility Buchanan attributes to unfulfilled expectations of patronage. In this closing page, Buchanan expresses his frustration with Fraser's grudge and his desire to avoid public conflict, suggesting that he preferred to keep the matter private unless provoked.

In part: "…In your favor of the 26th instant, you inquire the cause of Col. [Reah] Frazer's sudden change from warm friendship for myself, to bitter hostility. In answer I shall relate to you the only cause for this change which I have ever known or even suspected.

I had been the friend of him & his for many years & had evinced this friendship by decisive acts. Under the administration of General [Andrew] Jackson, in 1832 & 1836, I had succeeded in obtaining important appointments for two members of his family; & when I entered the Department of State in March 1845, there was no man in Pennsylvania whom I should have served with greater pleasure than Colonel Frazer.

Shortly after this event, the Colonel solicited my influence with President [James] Polk in [sic] behalf of his father-in-law, John Steele - a highly & justly respected citizen of Lancaster County, for the appointment of Collector of the Port of Philadelphia. This application, however, came too late; & it was improbable for me to serve him in this particular.

His brother-in-law, John J. Steele then became an applicant for the appointment of Purser in the Navy. This office, whether in point of respectability, permanency or enrollment, is one of the best in the gift [?] of the President, & is therefore sought….

There seemed to be difficulties, almost insurmountable, in the way of Mr. Steele; but for Col. Frazer's sake, I determined to overcome them…After one failure to obtain the appointment or Mr. Steele; upon the occurrence of the next vacancy, I asked his appointment from President Polk as a personal favor [underlined] & he was appointed a purser in the Navy in August 1845. This is the appointment I ever asked from the President as a personal favor during my whole term as Secretary of State [also underlined.]

But Purser Steele had yet to pass the ordeal of the Senate; & whilst no objection existed or could exist against his character, Senators from other States were dissatisfied that we should have so many more of these valuable appointments than the number to which, as they believed, we were fairly entitled. For this reason, although the nomination was made to the Senate on the 26th December 1845, it was not confirmed until the 26 April 1846…I exerted whatever personal influence I may have possessed wit these dissatisfied Senators, to secure the confirmation…& I can assure you that this was as requested. He now enjoys this valuable office…

But to come to the point of your inquiry. At the very moment when the nomination of Col. Frazer's brother in law was pending before the Senate, the result being still contested & whilst the Colonel was urging me to exert myself with Senators…he appealed to me, in the strongest and most emphatic terms he could imply to have Major [Isaac] Roche [sic, Roach], then the Treasurer of the Mint, removed & to have his father-in-law, Mr. John Steele, the father of Purser Steele, appointed to fill the vacancy.

This request I considered unreasonable. Had this unexampled partiality been shewn by the President to a single family; had a father & a son, for the first time I believe…been before the Senate at the same moment for two important & lucrative civil offices, they would most probably have both been rejected…

Soon after, Colonel Frazer had failed to obtain his father-in-law's appointment as Treasurer of the Mint…I began to learn that he spoke of me unkindly & disrespectfully…He gradually became more open & loud in his personal abuse, until at length his hostility has nearly reached the point of monomania. For the truth of this assertion, I may with safety appeal to nearly every Democratic politician, in or out of the State, with whom the Colonel has conversed on political subjects within the last three years. I swear I have never known or suspected any other cause for the sudden change in Colonel Frazer's sentiments towards myself than his failure to obtain the appointment…I have never said or done aught but kindness to him & his family…I did all in my power…

I feel proudly conscious that this hostility must proceed from private reasons alone; & not because I have proved unfaithful to Democratic principles. My sincere efforts in defence of our time honored & glorious causes have been sanctioned & approved by the Democratic party of my native State for more than a quarter of a century; a consolation of which I can never be deprived by any human power. If vote, speech, or a public act of mine, throughout this long period, has ever been condemned by them, I am utterly ignorant of the fact. Elevated to high political stations by their generous confidence; important officers have been voluntarily tendered [?] to me by every Democratic President from Monroe to Polk; & by the latter I was appointed Secretary of State with the approval…of General [Andrew] Jackson…as sound a Democrat as the world ever beheld. Until after the period when I became a member of Mr. Polk's cabinet, Colonel Frazer was the content & most energetic of my eulogists. What public act have I since done to expos me to his persecution? None, I answer, proudly none. His hostility must, therefore, proceed from private griefs; & I solemnly reiterate the assertion that I have never suspected or imagined that it has proceeded from any cause, save only his failure to obtain, through my agency, the appointment of Treasury of the Mint for his father-in-law…I desire that this answer not be made public…".

This letter highlights Buchanan's careful balancing of favors for friends and political alliances -- as well as his chafing at the practice of having to do so -- a skill that would later be tested during his presidency as he navigated the tensions leading up to the Civil War. The disappointment of his former Democratic ally and friend, Reah Frazer, by failing to obtain a nepotistic office for him is explained by Buchanan in a stiff, defensive manner much in keeping with the future President's demeanor. Buchanan's decision to prioritize loyalty to the administration and his party over personal relationships, despite how close they may be, reflects his commitment to official duty, but also hints at the isolation he would experience in his presidential years and unable to appease competing factions.

Colonel Reah Frazer (1804) was an attorney and leading Democratic politician from Lancaster, PA. His wife was Abbiann Steele (1821-1887), whose father and brother were the thorns in Buchanan's side. It is not clear as to why Colonel Frazer felt it appropriate to have a respected politician, in this case the late War of 1812 veteran and Treasurer of the Mint Major Isaac Roach, removed from office for his own personal benefit. Roach (1768-1848) was Mayor of Philadelphia for one year (1838-39) before becoming Treasurer of the Mint from 1844-1847. A highly decorated and thrice WIA soldier as well as the son of Navy Captain Isaac Roach who served during the American Revolution, Roach appears to have been beyond reproach. Steele's beef actually may have arisen during Roach's tenure as Mayor of Philadelphia: in 1838, the appointment of Mayor was made without the popular vote, something which Frazer may have resented. Further, Roach's appointment as Mayor interrupted the tenure of John Swift (1790-1873), who was the first Mayor to be elected by popular vote and previously vaunted for his role in quashing the 1834 Philadelphia Race Riot. Perhaps Frazer was a fan? Certainly more research is needed to tease out the animus which then became a piece of Buchanan's distress.

Buchanan's addressee is Jacob Senewell Yost (1801-1872), an American politician and Representative for Pennsylvania from 1836-1839. The two men corresponded frequently from 1840-1859 and on subjects ranging from Pennsylvania politics to personal matters, and it is known that Buchanan was a visitor to Yost and his wife. As President, Buchanan would appoint him U.S. Marshal for eastern Pennsylvania, and he served from 1857-1860.

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 9.5"
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