LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25058

Franklin Pierce Autograph Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:450.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Franklin Pierce Autograph Letter Signed
<B>Franklin Pierce Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> "<I>Frank Pierce</B></I>". Three pages with integral address leaf, 8" x 10", Concord, New Hampshire, Sabbath Evening March 7, 1847. Written to Hon. Edmund Burke, the United States Commissioner of Patents. Pierce, waiting to be called into service in the Mexican War, writes in response to two letters from Burke, discussing various military units and appointments. He continues on to assess the New Hampshire state politics scene in regard to an upcoming election and apparent corruption involving out-of-state interests. The letter reads in part: "<I>Capt. Rowe's Company is nearly full as I know- that is, he has secured a large number of men and will probably be able to make up his numbers within 20-30 daysYoung Brown to whom you refer would make an admirable office. I have as yet received no official notice of my promotionCertainly very desirable for me to visit Washington, and should be glad to receive an order at once from the Secy of War to report myself there. I desire very much the interview with the President & also Colo Benton in relation to matters connected with the service before me. If you see nothing improper with it will you suggest my wish upon this subject in the right quarterThe desperation of the 'allied press' within the last few days exceeds anything ever before witnessed in this state. The Massachusetts capitalists who are determined to control the political legislation of N.H. have felt perfectly secure of victory here until within the last two weeks, but their alarm is quite obvious now from the abundance of money in the hands of the 'corruption fiend' holders. The buying up votes with money in this town within the last week has been open & undisguised. When the direct bribe will not do - Employment and large wages are offered to the poorer chaps. How many may have been affected in that way is impossible for us now to say - but I think they started too late, they will not have time to operate extensively with the funds at their disposal. How much have they succeeded in doing? Harm? We cannot know, till the ballots are counted. My conviction is that we will whip them in spite of their money, their corporations and combinations - We shall have from 670 to 700 reliable men upon the ground before 9 oclock Thursday morning and if we do not triumph we shall not fail for the want of vigilance determination and labor</B></I>". <BR><BR>Franklin Pierce had already served as both U.S. congressman and senator from New Hampshire. For family reasons he left his full-time political career and turned to the practice of law. He remained an active Democrat, managing many local campaigns between 1842 and 1849, and he is obviously involved in such a capacity in the upcoming election which he writes of here. Edmund Burke was also a New Hampshire native and a former U.S. congressman who had been appointed Commissioner of Patents by President Polk. Pierce had enlisted for military service in the Mexican War as a private, but was not called up for some time. Later in the spring of 1847 he was appointed colonel and then brigadier general; in Mexico he led an army to Mexico City from Vera Cruz, but was prevented by ill health from full participation in the battle. When the war was over he returned to his activity in local politics, from which he was propelled by various circumstances into his successful dark-horse presidential candidacy in 1852. In fine condition; usual folds are present; light overall toning; small stain near center of first page; missing section on last page, affects small portion of text.
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