TYLER JULIA: (1820-1889) First Lady of the United States 1844-45, the second wife of American President John Tyler. A.L.S., Julia Gardiner Tyler, three pages, 8vo, Sherwood Forest, James River, Virginia, 18th April 1882, to Colonel Cunningham. Tyler thanks her correspondent for their kind letters and refers to a professor who is indebted to Cunningham for his deep interest in their father, further remarking 'Yes, the late action of Congress adds much to my means for comfort & enjoyment; at least it will when it becomes available. I think the 'Times' was a little far fetched in its premises & conclusions! It may call me advanced, but it need not issue direct mistakes, that I live in New York, or have ever received a penny worth of ''support from kind & generous friends''. Fortunately for me my inheritance was not all demolished - I have had many blessings in a legitimate way to be thankful for - but no contributions, until Congress thought proper to render its Presidential widows……easy in circumstances - which was a credit to its good judgement, as well as to its head & heart'. The text is a little light although legible. One small, neat tear to the right edge of the final page, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG John Tyler, thirty years older than his second wife, had died in 1862 and the depression which followed the financial crisis of 1873 depleted Julia Tyler's finances. She lobbied Congress for a pension and was granted a monthly allowance in 1880. Following the assassination of President James Garfield in 1881, Congress granted an annual pension of $5000 to widows of former presidents.