LS signed “Z. Taylor,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, July 19, 1848. A "private" letter to William N. Hunnewell of Boston, following his nomination as the Whig candidate for president. In full: "I have the pleasure to receive your very fine congratulatory favor of the 28th ulto and I thank you most truly for your good opinion, which, whether elected or not, whether in an exalted or humble sphere, I hope to merit. The office of the Presidency is not desirable to me farther than as it is in the wish and will of the people, and it is this far before any other consideration which has disposed me to yield to the movement in my favor. You are right in saying that the emolument of the office is small, and if, in case I should be elected, I could retire from office without being bankrupt, and yet more if I can be instrumental in moderating to some extent the bitterness of party and political asperity, I should consider myself more than fortunate." Professionally inlaid into a larger sheet, and hinged with an engraving of Taylor. In fine condition.
Taylor had recently become a national hero for his success in the Mexican-American War and many around the country clamored for a presidential campaign. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor continued to deny any interest in running for office through February 1848. Ultimately, he would reluctantly enter the race as a Whig—though he viewed himself as an essentially non-partisan figure—and won the election despite his unclear platform.
When Taylor took office in 1849, the pressing issue was the extension of slavery into the territories newly conquered from Mexico. He thought nationally rather than sectionally, and opposed the proposed Compromise of 1850, which he saw as opening up partisan competition to settle and control the territories—undoubtedly leading the nation into constant agitation and danger. In keeping with the apolitical and pro-democracy views expressed here, Taylor urged settlers in New Mexico and California to draft constitutions and apply for statehood immediately, bypassing the territorial stage altogether. This would save years of further bitter controversy and satisfy opponents of the expansion of slavery, since neither state constitution would be likely to permit that institution. Taylor's death in office marked the end of that solution, and the Compromise of 1850 was ushered through Congress as five separate bills.
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