Unusual Reclining Writing Armchair and Framed Saddlebag, both originally belonging to Carey Allen Harris (1806-1842), Acting Secretary of War and Commissioner of Indian Affairs under U.S. President Andrew Jackson. 1st item: Late Classical or Empire style mahogany reclining armchair with upholstered seat and seat back; curved stiles and partially upholstered armrests, the curved hand rests each mounted with brass receptacles for a brass arm mounted with rosewood writing box and candlestick which can be fitted into either hand rest. Chair with ogee molded front seat rail flanked by ring turned front feet with brass casters; rear feet are raked and have never had casters. Old but not original light green velvet upholstery with brass tacks. Rosewood writing box features mother of pearl plaque inscribed "C.A. Harris" and a mother of pearl escutcheon, and a fitted and baize lined interior. Chair overall: 40" H x 20 1/2" W x 33" D. 2nd item: Leather saddlebag with brass plaque engraved C.A. Harris, mounted to linen lined shadowbox with burlwood frame. Saddlebag: 6" x 5", Frame: 11 1/2" x 10 1/2". Provenance: both items descended in the family of Carey A. Harris to current consignor. Note: Harris was a native of Williamson County, Tennessee. He and Abram P. Maury founded the Nashville Republican newspaper in 1824, and he went on to marry Maury's daughter, Martha. Harris was politically active and a part of President Andrew Jackson's inner circle. He worked as a clerk in the War Department and occasionally served as Acting Secretary of War when Lewis Cass was unavailable. Andrew Jackson appointed Harris Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1836, a post he retained under President Martin Van Buren. He was involved in the forcible removal of Native Americans from the Southeast, and was forced to resign and return to Tennessee after evidence of his role in a scheme to speculate in Indian allotments came to light in 1838. He died a few years later at the age of 36. Although his political career ended in disgrace, Harris is also remembered for his role in printing "The Western Harmony" in 1824, which marked the beginning of music publishing in Nashville. A state historical marker stands at the site of Harris's former press near Third Avenue in downtown Nashville.

1st item: Overall good condition. Upholstery with wear and some scattered stains and grime. Some small losses to turned front feet; rear feet have been repaired and reinforced. Some losses to edges of sides. Writing box: Baise replaced; some age related separations and veneer repairs to lid. 2nd item: Saddlebag with alligatored surface, considerable wear, other half of saddlebag may not be present. Not examined out of frame; method of mounting to shadowbox is unknown.