Lot 88
Pierce, Franklin. 14th President of the United States, 1853-1857.
Autograph Letter Signed. One page, Quarto, September 3, 1845, to Chandler E. Potter of Manchester, New Hampshire, with integral address leaf.
From 1833 on, Pierce spent nine years in Washington as a loyal Jacksonian Democrat in both houses of Congress. He consistently respected Southern rights and developed an antipathy for "political" abolitionists, whom he considered trouble-makers and a threat to the Union.
Meanwhile, his wife found the life of the Capitol so distasteful and inimical to her quiet New Hampshire temperament, that Pierce was compelled for her sake to resign from the Senate and withdraw from Washington's furious energy and join his family in Concord, where he practiced law with great skill.
From 1842 to 1847 Pierce managed most of the local Democratic campaigns, enforcing strict discipline to keep the party united and victorious. Convivial by nature, Pierce was popular, whether in polite society, at hotel bars, or in political caucuses.
Our letter finds Pierce in 1845 beginning to micromanage a local campaign with meticulous attention to detail. We quote at some length:
"I am glad to see that Gov. Woodbury is to be at Candia on the 16th. It ought to be a real meeting of the masses. It can only be made what it should be by efforts and suitable arrangements in the adjoining and neighboring towns. In 1840 there were committees appointed in different towns of arrangement who exerted themselves to get up large companies to attend at places of rendezvous were appointed on the route when the people met & then proceeded to the place of meeting in prosession. Similar exertions should be made for the 16th at Candia, Deerfield, Raymond, Chester and all the neighbouring towns should be represented not by a few deligates but by the party En Masse. None will see the Candia people & I hope that no effort to secure a large meeting will be neglected. Such a meeting in that region ought to be attended with the best results. In haste, Your friend, F.Pierce."
This is Pierce doing what he does best. Chipped and torn along two edges affecting two words and just a bit of the signature's bottom. Overall age-toning, still very good.
Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,500.
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