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DAVID RICE ATCHISON

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DAVID RICE ATCHISON
<p><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'>DAVID RICE ATCHISON </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:windowtext'><BR><BR></span><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Arial; text-transform:uppercase'>President For a Day</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:windowtext'><BR><BR>(1807-1886). President pro tempore of the Senate (1845-49). President of the United States for a day on Sunday, Mar 4, 1849, between the terms of Presidents James Polk and Zachary Taylor when Taylor refused to take the oath of office on a Sunday. Atchison reportedly slept the entire day. Fine DS “<i>D. R. Atchison</i>” 2¼pp, 4to, Washington, DC, Mar 5, 1853. A letter to “<i>His Excellency</i>” President Franklin Pierce, recommending the appointment of Dr. William F. Wallace to the position of “<i>Naval Store Keeper</i>” at the Senate. Together with 14 other Senators, Atchison endorses with his bold signature as president pro tempore. Dr. Wallace was to be rewarded because he “...<i>devoted his whole time & energy to the late presidential struggle; and having charge of the Iowa divisions, rendered most essential & valuable service</i>...” The letter indicates Dr. Wallace had been removed from his previous job in the Land Office by the previous administration for “<i>his political opinions</i>...” Slight fold separations in blank margin away from all signatures, negligible show-through. By right of succession, Atchison also was US Vice President from Apr 18, 1853, until Dec 4, 1854, by virtue of the death of President Franklin Pierce’s Vice President, William R. King.</span></p>