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President James K. Polk Autograph Letter Signed A

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
President James K. Polk Autograph Letter Signed A
<B>President James K. Polk Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> Addressed to the Secretary of War. In excellent condition, with clear and firm handwriting, here is an item with outstanding content on the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. It reads in full: "Dear Sir / Will you send to me General Scott's last dispatch and also such of the reports of subordinate commanders concerning the operations of the Army before Vera Cruz as do not appear in the (unclear) of this manuscript. If you have received any dispatches from California, send them also. (signed) James K. Polk / Washington April 23, 1847 / To the Hon. Wm. L. Marcy Sec. of War". Written only weeks after the capture of the city of Vera Cruz, and likely just days after hearing details of the victory, Polk clearly displays a "hands-on" attitude in asking to see all relevant military reports. An interesting side-note of the letter is his request to see dispatches from California. It would be the following year when the United States would receive title to California, as well as Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and other land areas in the Treaty of 1848. Given the virtually simultaneous discovery of gold, the victory and the treaty were well-timed. Polk letters with significant content are quite scarce, and this is a great example. <I>Accompanied by COA from PSA/DNA.</B></I>