ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 9.75, May 11, 1835. Letter marked “private & confidential,” to Samuel H. Laughlin, editor of the pro-Andrew Jackson newspaper, the Nashville Union, regarding a letter written by Speaker of the House John Bell, Polk’s long time rival, to the Nashville Republican, denying that he opposed President Jackson. In part: “The last Republican containing Mr. Bell’s letter was received here last night. It is doubtless intended to be the precursor of a controversy, and object of which is to force Johnson to publish the correspondence and thus make him and us the assailants. This Mr. B. no doubt thinks would give him some advantage. If it be published (and I think it must be sooner or later) it is important that he not Johnson should be found to bring it forth. He will then be the assailant and cannot complain that he is attacked. The allusion which he makes…is most disingenuous & unjust to me.” Polk goes on to detail the back and forth in the Nashville press and asks Laughlin’s advice on the proper response to Bell’s attack. Polk closes the letter with “Burn this letter as soon as read.” Reverse of second page bears an address panel in Polk’s hand. In very good condition, with mild uniform toning, show-through from text on reverse, partial separation along page binding, intersecting folds, and a small area of paper loss from wax seal to second page. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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