ALS, one page, 8 x 7.25, October 2, 1844. Letter to General Robert Armstrong in Nashville, Tennessee. In full: “I have occasion to refer to the Journals of our Legislature whilst I was a member of that body. Will you process & send to me the Journals of the House of Representatives for the Session of 1823 & 1824. They can be held in the Secretary of State’s office.” Second integral page bears an address panel in Polk’s hand, and franked “Free” in the upper right corner of the panel. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, a couple through single letters of signature, some scattered mild toning, and a light stain to lower right corner. The integral page has scattered toning and soiling, a tear repaired with tape on the reverse, and paper loss to top edge extending into the address panel.
Writing a month before his victorious 1844 presidential election, this correspondence references Polk’s political past as he was on his way to becoming America’s 11th president. His political career began in 1819 when he was elected clerk for the Tennessee State Senate. He resigned three years later to successfully campaign for the Tennessee state legislature in 1823, becoming the new representative of Maury County. Twenty years later, Polk, now the dark horse candidate for the presidency, must have recalled something from those days as a Tennessee representative...information that might be used to his advantage as the Democratic candidate in the campaign, prompting this request. The campaign had taken a bizarre twist after Polk, who had only aspired to the vice presidency position, was nominated on the ninth ballot by his fellow Democrats. Interestingly, this letter’s original recipient, General Robert Armstrong, was the longtime postmaster in Nashville—a position in which he served from 1829 to 1845. He resigned after newly elected President Polk tapped him as consul at Liverpool. Unique historical content. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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