Description:

M. Fillmore Signed Letter Re: Start of Armed Security at the White House

FILLMORE, Millard. Manuscript Letter Signed, "Millard Fillmore", 1p, 7.75” x 9.75”, Washington City, April 16, 1852. Blind embossed at the top left. A bit of lightness to the text, with expected mailing folds and some very minor wear, else in near fine condition.

Written in a clerk’s attractive hand, Fillmore’s letter to the Secretary of War reads, “The Watchmen at the Executive Mansion have requested that you would let them have some muskets, that they may make, at least, a show of resistance when invaded. I should think small muskets with bayonets and small shot might be the best for their use.”

According to the White House Historical Society, during the early 19th century, the Executive Mansion was patrolled by guards and night watchmen and had a single watch box. Firearms were kept by the doorkeeper of the Mansion in a front hall, but there was no external armed security to patrol the gates and grounds. In 1842, a permanent security force for the Executive Mansion was created.

Christie's November 2005 sale of the Malcolm Forbes collection included the March 1852 petition from the White House guards to Fillmore, requesting that arms be provided to the security force. President Fillmore forwarded the petition to the Secretary of War with a note at the bottom of the petition, "It seems to me that it would be well enough to give this watch muskets, or dragoon swords. Can you furnish them?" It is likely that the Secretary either ignored the request, or due to the presumed controversy about an armed presidential guard, requested that a more formal presidential directive be presented to him. Whatever the reason, Fillmore followed up on that original note with the here offered letter some six weeks later.  

The background of the request is not exactly clear. The original petition only alluded to the potential risk of night intruders who might descend upon the grounds. It is possible that the growing political tensions in the 1850s prompted concerns. Regardless of the motive for the petition, it was the first step in the armed protection of the presidential mansion and the perimeter of the grounds. That security now, of course, goes far beyond a few muskets with small shot.

Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) was the 13th President of the United States, serving from 1850 to 1853, the last to be a member of the Whig Party while in the White House. A former member of the United States House of Representatives from Upstate New York, Fillmore was elected as the 12th vice president of the United States in 1848 and succeeded to the presidency in July 1850 upon the death of President Zachary Taylor. Fillmore was instrumental in the passing of the Compromise of 1850, a bargain that led to a brief truce in the battle over the expansion of slavery.

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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