ALS as vice president, one page, 5 x 7.25, July 9, 1850. Letter to William Rich, in full: "I have your note of the 8th inst. enclosing a sealed box or package directed to Miss C. P. Emmons, Care of Dr. C. Emmons, Springville, N.Y. and agreeably to your regards shall take great pleasure in forwarding the package to some one in Buffalo, by the first safe conveyance." In fine condition.
Fillmore ostensibly wrote this letter while vice president during the daytime on July 9th, as President Zachary Taylor lay stricken with the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. Two days earlier, Fillmore had been called from the vice-president’s dais in the Senate chamber to the White House to keep vigil outside the president’s bedroom. On July 8th, the feverish President Taylor remarked to a medical attendant: ‘I should not be surprised if this were to terminate in my death.’ This letter seems to represent Fillmore, knowing what was soon to come, tying up loose ends before ascending to the nation’s highest office. When President Taylor passed away at 10:35 PM on July 9th, the powers and duties of the presidency devolved on Fillmore, who was immediately notified of the death via messenger. After a sleepless night, Fillmore was formally sworn into office at noon on July 10th.
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