Description:

Martin Van Buren
[Albany, NY], January 2, 1829
Martin Van Buren Nice ALS About Pardons
ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed by future 8th U.S. President Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), then in his role as Governor of New York, as "M. V. Buren" at lower right. January 2, 1829. [Albany, New York.] Inscribed on watermarked bifold paper with an integral address leaf also engrossed by Van Buren, which is docketed by the recipient, postmarked, and bears the remnants of a red wax seal. The inner pages are blank. Expected wear including flattened folds and a few extra wrinkles. A closed tear runs up the bifold gutter and an area of loss corresponds to the seal. Scattered stains and a former collector's pencil annotations, else very good to near fine.7.875" x 9.75."

This letter almost certainly represents one of Martin Van Buren's first pieces of correspondence as newly installed Governor of New York. After winning the 1828 gubernatorial election, Van Buren became the 9th Governor of New York on January 1, 1829, just the previous day. Evidently Governor Van Buren was losing no time; this letter frankly discusses pardon-granting, one of the highest privileges granted to public office holders. Van Buren's correspondent was New York attorney Samuel Miles Hopkins (1772-1837), who in the 1820s served as both Reporter to the New York Court of Chancery - the predecessor of the New York Supreme Court - and as a commissioner overseeing the construction of Sing Sing Prison. Hopkins was a Federalist, diametrically opposed to Van Buren's Jacksonian-Democrat affiliation.

Governor Van Buren wrote to Hopkins in full, with original usage:

"Dear Sir

Thanking you for your suggestions in relation to the pardoning power; I have to ask the favor of you, to give me, in addition, your ideas as to the functionality of laying down any thing like a general rule, & if practicable what its requirement should be -

Yours very respectf-
ully

M. V. Buren
Tuesday Jany 2.d 1829

S.M. Hopkinson [sic], Esq."

Just two days into office, Governor Van Buren considered the full extent of his executive powers. Van Buren had previously considered the issue some 8 years earlier, while a United States Senator from New York. The Papers of Martin Van Buren document that in September 1821, then Senator Van Buren introduced a motion waiving requiring state governors to tell the Senate which pardons they had granted; the amendment was not passed.

Van Buren served just 43 days in office as Governor of New York before accepting President Andrew Jackson's invitation to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. During his 10 weeks in office, Van Buren managed to pass a banking reform as well as secure several state political appointment for his supporters. Later, during his single term as president, Martin Van Buren commuted, pardoned, or rescinded the convictions of 168 people.

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: 7.875" x 9.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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