Millard Fillmore
Buffalo, NY, October 27, 1856
Millard Fillmore Scarce ALS as Pres. to Jackson's Nephew Re: Fremont
ALS

Fine political content autograph letter signed Millard Fillmore as President, to his running mate Andrew J. Donelson, about the dismal state of his 1856 bid for re-election to the Presidency. 1p. measuring 5" x 6.75", Buffalo, New York, October 27, 1856. A tiny bit of loss at top right corner, clear of text, otherwise in very good condition.

In part: "…I have yours of the 18th from which I infer that we may be beaten in Tennessee; but I hope not. I fear we shall lose the vote we expected from the Democrats in this state as the result in Pa. and Ind. has made them quite hopeful. I fear fatally so; but as Fremont's election is now morally impossible we hope for recruits from that source…We still hope for the best. Time will soon tell…".

The 1856 Presidential election was a three-way contest between Democrat James Buchanan, Republican John C. Fremont, and "Know Nothing" candidate Millard Fillmore. The expansion of slavery was the main issue for voters, and although Democrats were the pro-slavery party, Buchanan's recent time abroad allowed him to side-step the issue and maintain popularity in the North. Fillmore, a former Whig president, was the nominee for the xenophobic Know Nothings and presented himself as the leader of a party which could bridge the extremes of the pro-slavery and abolitionist factions. While both Buchanan and Fillmore both argued for viewing slavery as a "states-rights" issue, Fillmore's more moderate approach fell silent on the nation, ultimately costing him his re-election. Buchanan would emerge victorious with 45.3% of the votes, and Fillmore and Donelson would come in at a distant third.

Andrew J. Donelson (1799-1871) was the nephew of president Andrew Jackson. He went to live with Jackson and his wife Rachel after the death of his father, and played an instrumental role in Jackson's election to the presidency. He then served as his private secretary. Donelson remained active in politics and represented the United States in the Republic of Texas during the Tyler administration. He served as minister to Prussia under Polk, but left that post in 1849 to become the editor of a Democratic newspaper before being selected to run as Fillmore's vice president in the Know Nothing party.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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5" x 6.75"