2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2020
HOUSTON, Samuel (1793-1863). American Statesman, Politician, and Soldier, best known for his leading role in bringing Texas into the United States, 7th Governor of Texas and the Only Person in U.S. history to have been the Governor of Two Different States. Wet ink press Autograph Letter Signed, "Sam Houston" as Texas Senator, January 28, 1853, 7 pp. quarto, Washington, D.C., His own retained "Copy or Letterpress Press" copy for his personal archive, made by Houston himself by Pressing a Wet Ink Letter Onto Tissue Paper, a process originated by James Watt circa 1780. As such, there is some missing and/or partly illegible areas of text caused by the delicacy of the special very thin tissue paper used for the transfer process of the ink. Each leaf is archivally sealed in an acid free plastic for protection and display and sold "as is" as such. Addressed to "Gen. Frank Pierce" at lower left of last page. Senator Sam Houston writes this missive to fellow Democrat and President-Elect Franklin Pierce He first congratulated Pierce on his political victory. Second, he urged the future 14th U.S. President to choose carefully his Cabinet members. In this way, Cabinet members would not feel obligated to anyone except the President, who had granted them their prestigious posts. Sam Houston offers a damning critique commentary of the current political system as he saw it. Ever since the 7th U.S. Presidency of Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), who had unfortunately surrendered to outside pressures in selecting his Cabinet members, the last six Presidential administrations had been rife with corruption, according to Houston. The self-reliant Texas Senator urged President-Elect Pierce to reverse the last sixteen years of nepotism and cronyism by setting a new example. It reads in part: "...It is because I am a member of the Democratic party of which you have been the standard bearer in the recent election. A sincere desire to see the principles of the party triumph united with respect for your character induced me with cheerfulness and sincerity to use all fair and honorable means to secure the election of the Democratic nominees to the Presidency and Vice Presidency. The success was triumphant and I am happy to congratulate you upon the result. It is natural under present circumstances that every lover of our institutions and of the Union should feel anxious for the success of your administration..." Much more. At its conclusion, this Letter bears a massive wet transfer process signature. Very good condition.
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