Description:

John Tyler
n.p., n.d. [ca. 1843]
John Tyler ALS to Col. Abert Recommending James Talbot, Who Later Served in Fremont's Expedition! PSA Encapsulated
ALS

A holograph letter signed "John Tyler", likely as sitting President, to Colonel John H. Abert of the U.S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers. 1p, measuring 4.25" x 7", n.p., "Monday morning" [no date, ca. 1843]. Within, Tyler requests that Abert accept eighteen year-old James Talbot into the Corps without pay. Exhibits isolated paper clip indentation present at top left corner. Evidence of prior mounting residue to right edge of verso. Very good to near fine overall. Encapsulated by PSA/DNA to an overall size of 6.5" x 10" and verified authentic.

In full:

"The Revd. Mr. Mathews has come to me with a request that young Mr. Talbot may be attached without pay to the Engineer Crops. I have said to him that you would best know what was proper to be done in the matter and that I would refer it to you- I need not add that I should derive pleasure if it be in your power to gratify Mr. Matthews."

John James Abert (1788-1863) was an American soldier who headed the U.S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers for over twenty years, from 1838 to 1861. In this capacity, officers working under him were responsible for the exploration and mapping of the lands west of the Mississippi River. Upon Abert's death, the War Department wrote of his accomplishments in part: "The geographical and other information concerning this continent… has challenged the admiration of the scientific world, while the practical benefit of their labors has been felt in nearly every State and every Territory; the whole forming a proud monument to him who was its founder."

James Theodore Talbot (1825-1862) served as a member of the Corps of Topographical Engineers under John C. Frémont's expedition into Oregon Territory. He was later appointed as Chief of Staff to Brigadier General Joseph K. Mansfield at the start of the Civil War, but died shortly thereafter of Tuberculosis in 1862.

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: 6.5" x 10"
  • Medium: ALS

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