Description:

Atchison David 1807 - 1886 Signatures of "President for one Day" David Atchison and MO politician Henry S. Geyer

Pale blue unlined paper, with title "Misouri" incorrectly spelled and underlined with red fountain pen. State politicians Henry S. Geyer signs as "H.S. Geyer" and David Rice Atchison signs as "D.R. Atchison" in black pen. In very fine condition, with some minor edge browning, paper slip measuring 8" x 6.625".

David Rice Atchison (1807-1886) was a prosperous Missouri lawyer who famously represented Mormon leader Joseph Smith's interests in early land disputes. He also served as a militia officer during the Missouri Mormon War and later became involved in state politics. By the early 1840s, this enormously popular Democrat had been elected Senate chairman or President pro tempore, a senate leadership position granting him Acting Presidential powers in case of vacuum. The Missouri firebrand technically served as "President for One Day" between noon Sunday, March 4 th, 1849 and noon Monday, March 5 th, 1849, a 24-hour period of interregnum between the departure of 11 th U.S. President James K. Polk and the inauguration of 12 th U.S. President Zachary Taylor. Atchison downplayed his one-day presidency, and indeed went on to play other historically significant roles, such as leading the infamous pro-slavery Kansas Border Ruffians, and serving as Confederate brigadier general during the Civil War.

Like Atchison, Henry S. Geyer (1790-1859) was a Missouri transplant, lawyer, politician, and pro-slavery proponent. Geyer's two most famous legal cases either directly or indirectly involved politics, and notably the question of slavery. In 1840, Geyer defended William P. Darnes in the caning murder trial of a Missouri newspaper publisher, and seventeen years later defended slave owner John Sanford in the Dred Scott Case.

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