US Senator from Missouri and a staunch advocate of westward expansion of the United States (1782–1858). ALS signed “Thomas H. Benton,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, December 30, 1846. Letter to a gentleman in Missouri. In full: “A letter from St. Louis gives me reason to fear that some movement may be made among my friends in the General assembly to nominate me for the Presidency? It will be very unfortunate if they do, and will lay me under the necessity of writing a strong letter in declining it. Besides the general reasons against it, there are special ones at present, when high appointments, both military and diplomatic, are intended to be offered me by the President, and which I shall accept if offered. For the first, an act of congress will be necessary, to create the rank of Lieutenant General: the President will ask it by special message: if created by Congress, I have agreed to take it. If made Lieut. Genl. the appointment of Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary will be conferred upon me (and two others) so that the sword & the olive be and may go together & the war be finished. These high appointments are already the fruitful theme of misrepresentations, and any movement towards the presidency by my friends would have the effect of countenancing imputations false in themselves, and injurious both to the President & myself. So, please, read this to our friends & stop it. There is no time to write another letter, and this must do for all.” After his signature Benton goes on to add a small postsript which reads, “N.B. Show this to our friends, but keep it out of the press.” In good condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, partial separation to central horizontal fold, scattered toning and soiling, some lightly affecting signature, paper loss to one edge, some mild damp staining, and light show-through from writing on reverse. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$75.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
