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Lot 42: James Buchanan Signed Letter 1839

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:480.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Lot   42: James Buchanan Signed Letter 1839
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>Buchanan Looks To Dispense Patronage</b>

<b>JAMES BUCHANAN. The 15th President.

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Autograph Letter Signed, as Senator, 1 page, 8” x 10”, Bedford Springs, July 31, 1839; to Reah Frazer. Choice Very Fine. Here, amidst the organized riot that was mid-19th century Pennsylvania politics, Buchanan attempts to ascertain to whom he should next dispense patronage - with an eye, of course, to wrangling the 1844 Democratic presidential nomination. “ In part: “I enclose you a letter which will explain itself from Mr. Johnson. Will you be good enough to ascertain for me who would be the most suitable successor of Mr. Michael? What can be the reason of his gross negligence?...Write to me as soon as possible. I expect to be here a week yet...Governor Porter has not yet arrived here...This watering place is always agreeable although I have found but few of the old set...”

No good dead goes unpunished, as this letter would eventually prove. Buchanan, having long used his influence to secure political jobs for the entire Frazer clan - ever since old man Frazer presented him with a law library and helped him build up his practice - by 1845 had placed most of the family, and their in-laws, on the public payroll. But Reah Frazer wanted more, and when Buchanan finally said “enough!” , Frazer became his bitter enemy.