 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Click on Image To Enlarge
autographs 
autographs |
Document 4603 JOHN TYLER. Autograph Endorsement signed: "J. Tyler" as tenth U.S. President on leaf addressed: "To/The President/of the United States". In full: "The writer of this/letter is a leading mem/ber of the Va Legislature." The letter, penned by and signed "R.E. Scott" is 1p, 8x9¾. Warrentown (Virginia), 1841 April 26. In full: "Doctor Leach of this county visits the City with the intention of applying for some employment under the government, and it gives me very great pleasure to recommend him to your notice and favor. He is a gentleman of most excellent moral character and great intelligence. Has been for many years past a resident of this county and has exercised the office of Justice of the peace, a fact which may be taken as full testimony to the estimation in which he is held here. Dr. Leach has had the benefit of a liberal education, which united with good natural parts well fit him for some consideration under the government. He has been at all times an ardent and consistent Whig, and, I entertain no doubt, will discharge with fidelity and success any employment which it may be his fortune to receive." ROBERT EDEN SCOTT, the writer of the letter, served in the Virginia House of Delegates (1835-1842 and 1845-1851) and the Virginia state constitutional convention (1850-1851) and the Virginia succession convention (1861). He was a member of the Confederate Provisional Congress from 1861 until May 3, 1862, when he was killed in a skirmish with Union deserters. Just three weeks before this letter was written, President William Henry Harrison died after only a month in office. This was the first time a President had died in office. Vice President JOHN TYLER, who had left for his home in Williamsburg, Virginia shortly after Harrison's inauguration, was roused out of bed on the morning of April 5 with the news. He rode to Washington the next day, where he was sworn in as President at noon. Article II Section I of the U.S. Constitution provided that in case of the death of the President, "the Powers and Duties of the said Office...shall devolve on the Vice President." But there were those opposed to Tyler who refused to address him as "President", saying that he was still the Vice President with the powers and duties of the office of the presidency but not the title. The public however, as evidenced by the address on this letter, considered Tyler as the President. Tyler established a precedent by calling himself the President, an action followed by Vice Presidents Fillmore, Andrew Johnson, Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, Coolidge, Truman and Lyndon Johnson when the President died. In 1967, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. Section 1 provides that "In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President." Tyler's precedent had become the law. Lightly creased with folds. 1 horizontal fold touches the lower portion of the "y" in Tyler's signature, which is also affected by an inkblot on the "T". Slight separations at mid-horizontal folds, lightly soiled, else fine condition. SEE IF DOCUMENT 4603 IS FOR SALE RIGHT NOW!!
|
||
|
|
|
Autograph Archive Index
Copyright © 2010 Gallery of History, Inc. All rights reserved.